Dilaraj Lamichhane of Pokhara - 12, Bishnu Chapagain and Suryabahadur Gurung of Pokhara-10, Yambahdur Ranabhat of Kaski, Yogiraj Komalananda of Ghachok, KB Thapa and Netraraj Regmi of Syangja, Rishiraj Lamsal and David Panta of Dhading and Sunil Paudel of Kathmandu were arrested by the police on July 23, as they were found offering medical services as doctors without any document to prove their status. [break]
The accused were locked up by the police for a day and handed over to the district administration the following day. The administration released them the same day on bail of Rs 18,000 per person, asking them to appear in the office in 15 days.
However, fueling doubt about the administration´s intention is its playing mute spectator despite the catchy advertisements published by those pretending to be doctors.
“We had thought that the authority would take the matter seriously and act tough against them but we were wrong,” said a police source. The police suspect that the district administration will settle the matter internally within the 15 days.
According to the police, the administration was supposed to keep the accused under detention and carry out detailed investigation. “In such cases, the accused can be detained for as many as 25 days. However, the district office did not feel the need to do so,” said a police officer.
But the meddling of the police has annoyed the district authority. “The administration does not take orders from the police,” said Chetnath Bhattarai, chief district officer. “If the accused are found to be involved in any wrongdoing we will definitely take action against them."
Related story
MoH forwards documents to pay resident doctors
