10 Years a Doctor, But It Was All a Lie
After evading law enforcement for nearly 10 years, a long-time fugitive posing as a medical professional was finally arrested. Raj Kumar Sharma, a 51-year-old man originally from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, was caught in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, where he had been living under a false identity as a doctor. Delhi Police’s Crime Branch brought his elaborate act to an end during a late-night operation on June 11.
The Arrest
The breakthrough came when the Crime Branch received reliable information about Sharma’s location. Disguised as a patient, officers approached him for an appointment, confirming his identity before moving in. Acting swiftly, they arrested him from his residence on the night of June 11–12.
According to Sanjeev Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), Sharma had been using clever tactics to stay hidden. He regularly changed his appearance, phone numbers, and place of residence to stay one step ahead of the police.
From Fraudster to “Doctor Sahib”
For the people of Haridwar, Sharma was known as “Doctor Sahib,” a respected figure believed to be affiliated with AIIMS Rishikesh. However, investigations revealed that he had no medical degree or qualifications. Police searched his home and confirmed that he had been pretending to be a doctor without any formal training or certification in the healthcare field.
His Criminal Past
Sharma’s journey into crime began in 2007. He, along with five accomplices, forged documents to take out vehicle loans from government banks. After being caught, one of the fraudulently financed vehicles was recovered. During his trial, Sharma stopped attending court and was officially declared a proclaimed offender in December 2016.
In another major fraud case from 2015, he deceived two individuals by selling them a plot of land using fake property documents. To delay legal action, he issued a cheque worth ₹26 lakh—knowing it was from a closed bank account.
From Publisher to Pseudo-Physician
Born in 1973, Sharma completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Meghalaya University. After graduation, he ran small monthly publications in Delhi’s Burari area. But when legal troubles caught up with him, he disappeared and reinvented himself in Haridwar as a fake doctor.
According to police, he had no steady source of income in recent years. He lived off the earnings from his family’s ancestral farmland and charged patients for medical consultations despite having no medical license or background.
The Team Behind the Capture
The long-standing investigation was led by Inspectors Mangesh Tyagi and Robin Tyagi under the supervision of ACP Arvind Kumar. The team had been tracking Sharma’s movements for years, patiently waiting for the right moment to make the arrest.
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of verifying the credentials of medical professionals and reporting suspicious behaviour. While Sharma successfully fooled many people for years, his arrest marks a significant win for law enforcement and a cautionary tale for the public.
Always ensure that any healthcare provider is licensed and registered with the appropriate medical council. Unqualified individuals not only commit fraud but may also put lives at risk.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
