Purnea, March 11: Any surgery can cause some pain to a patient, but if the person is discharged with a mere bandage and no real operation, the pain is unbearable.

Twenty-four-year-old Prad-ip Kumar, a labourer from Shahi Tola, got the shock of his life when he removed the bandage in his right abdomen just a little to see why weren’t the stitches received after a hernia operation causing him any pain. Pradip, who had paid a hard-earned Rs 8,000 to Dr Keshari Prasad Chaudhary for the operation, was discharged with only bandage and no surgery.

Dr Chaudhary, posted at Rupauli Referral Hospital, was arrested today for allegedly duping a patient by faking an operation and charging money for the same.

Dr Chaudhary was arrested from the premises of Prerna Medicos, Premnagar, falling under Rupauli police station, 64 km away from Purnea, where he was hiding since yesterday.

According to the police, Dr Chaudhary spotted Pradip at the Rupali Referral Hospital on March 7 where the latter had come for hernia treatment. The doctor allegedly convinced Pradip to opt for private treatment under him. The patient was charged Rs 8,000 for the surgery, he was even etherised by the doctor but not operated upon for hernia. Pradip was discharged with a bandage on his right abdomen and prescribed some medicines. The doctor demanded Rs 250 for further treatment when Pradip complained of weakness.

Doctor in-charge of Rupauli Referral Hospital, Dr Ajay Kumar told The Telegraph that Dr Chaudhary used to trap patients earlier too and he had informed his higher officials about it.

In-charge of civil surgeons and deputy civil surgeon Dr Jawahar Khan told The Telegraph he came to know about the matter today and would embark on departmental proceedings against Dr Chaudhary, if the charges are found to be true. “The patient was brought to Purnea Sadar Hospital last night where he was being given proper treatment,” he added.

Dr Choudhary, meanwhile, claimed that all allegations against him were false and “cooked up at the behest of Dr Ajay Kumar”.

PERATION DRAMA

Patient: Pradip Kumar

Problem:        Hernia

Operated on: March 7

Fraud discovered on: March 10

Doc arrested on: March 11

Ä Jitendra K ShrivastavaContact No 09470450960

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