Fake cardiologist performs 50 surgeries using stolen identity

A qualified MBBS doctor, Pankaj Mohan Sharma, performed over 50 heart surgeries in over eight months at the heart care centre of Faridabad’s Badshah Khan Civil Hospital using the registration number of a real cardiologist. The matter came to light when a patient approached the real doctor.

Despite having a medical degree, Dr Sharma’s lack of authorisation for critical cardiac surgeries put numerous lives at risk before his fraudulent practice was exposed and the condition of some patients became critical while some had even died. An FIR has been registered against the heart care centre management at the Faridabad NIT police station and the matter is under investigation.

He came under the scanner when social activist Sanjay Gupta had filed a complaint with the police on April 11, and alleged that Dr Sharma bagged additional degrees based on forged documents.

According to the preliminary investigation, the accused had been operating under a stolen identity, misappropriating the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) registration number assigned to Dr Pankaj Mohan, a legitimate cardiologist practising in the city.

As per the police, Dr Pankaj Mohan Sharma was hired by Mediterina Hospital, which operates the heart care centre at Badshah Khan Civil Hospital through a public-private partnership, in July last year.

The investigation revealed that Dr Sharma had impersonated another doctor, using Dr Mohan’s registration number 2456, instead of his own MBBS registration number 28482. He did not stop at that. Dr Sharma’s prescriptions had a stamp that identified him as a ‘cardiologist’, complete with a DNB (cardiology).

Dr Pankaj Mohan Sharma served at this centre for eight months from July 2024 to February 2025. Meanwhile, advocate Sanjay Gupta questioned the medical qualification of Dr Pankaj Mohan Sharma in the Vigilance and the police and demanded an investigation of his degree. On this, the heart centre management sought an answer from Dr Pankaj Mohan Sharma. When Dr Pankaj Sharma found himself cornered, he stopped going to the centre.

Meanwhile, cardiologist Dr Mohan filed a complaint with the Indian Medical Association in January this year, alleging that Dr Sharma had illegally used his credentials. Dr Mohan also served Dr Sharma a legal notice after discovering the fraudulent activity.

Raja Ram, a resident of Madnaka village in Palwal district, said he had admitted his father Ramkishan to the Heart Centre on January 10. Stents were inserted there and he died on January 11. Dr Sharma was posted at the Heart Centre at that time.

Dr Pratap Kumar said he had asked for Dr Pankaj Mohan Sharma’s degree, but he could not show it. Therefore, his services had been terminated.

A senior police official said a probe was underway and action would be taken as per the law.