Karnataka Identifies 582 Fake Doctors, Including 16 in Bengaluru Urban

Health authorities identified 582 fake doctors practicing without recognized credentials or registration across Karnataka between 2024 and 2026, including 16 in Bengaluru Urban. Minister for Health and Family Welfare UT Khader presented the district-wise figures during a recent legislature session, detailing widespread violations of medical registration laws across the state.

Bengaluru Urban ranked ninth on the district list with 16 cases. Kalaburagi recorded the highest number of unqualified practitioners at 127, followed closely by Raichur with 124. Dharwad reported 75 cases, while Kolar recorded 31, Vijayapura had 24, Ballari had 23, and Dakshina Kannada documented 20. Chikkaballapur reported 17 cases, just ahead of Bengaluru Urban.

Other districts with detected cases included Koppal with 14, Haveri with 13, Bidar and Bagalkot with 12 each, Hassan with 11, and Vijayanagara with 10. Lower counts were recorded in Mysuru with eight, Belagavi with seven, Chamarajanagar with six, Davanagere with five, and Chitradurga and Ramanagara with two cases each. Kodagu, Shivamogga, and Mandya reported zero cases.

The disclosure follows a circular issued by the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department on November 11, 2025. The directive instructed officials to initiate legal action against unqualified individuals as well as healthcare establishments employing unqualified doctors or paramedical staff.

Addressing the legal consequences, Khader stated that state law prohibits unregistered individuals from practicing or presenting themselves as medical practitioners for personal gain. A first offence carries a fine of up to Rs 25,000, while a second offence can lead to a fine of up to Rs 2.5 lakh and imprisonment of up to one year. Subsequent violations can attract fines of up to Rs 5 lakh and prison terms of up to three years.

To enforce the regulations, the state established district-level special task forces comprising administrative, police, health, AYUSH, and other officials. These task forces are tasked with inspecting unregistered practitioners, initiating legal prosecution, and submitting monthly progress reports to the state government.

Khader added that private medical establishments found employing unqualified staff face prosecution, financial penalties, suspension or cancellation of their registration, and immediate closure. Establishments operating without biomedical-waste authorization are also subject to action under environmental regulations.