Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have launched an investigation after a man impersonating a renowned British doctor allegedly performed heart surgeries that led to the deaths of at least seven patients at a private Christian missionary hospital in Damoh city.
According to officials, the accused, who falsely claimed to be Dr. N John Kem—a well-known British cardiologist—secured a position at the missionary hospital by submitting fake credentials. The impersonator, later identified as Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, carried out multiple heart surgeries, several of which proved fatal.
The case came to light after reports emerged of seven unexplained deaths within a single month at the hospital. District authorities are now probing whether the actual death toll is even higher.
Deepak Tiwari, a local advocate and president of the Child Welfare Committee in Damoh, was among the first to raise the alarm. He filed a formal complaint with the District Magistrate and stated that survivors and concerned families had approached him with disturbing accounts.
"One patient’s family told us they brought their father for surgery, but something felt off, so they took him to Jabalpur instead. That’s when we discovered the man pretending to be Dr. Kem was actually Narendra Yadav. He has a criminal record, including a case in Hyderabad, and has never produced authentic documents," Tiwari said.
The controversy has also drawn the attention of national authorities. Priyank Kanoongo, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, confirmed that the hospital was enrolled under the government's Ayushman Bharat scheme, receiving funds for treatments performed there. "The allegations are extremely serious. We’ve taken cognisance of the issue and initiated an investigation," Kanoongo said.
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As part of the ongoing inquiry, officials have seized all documents from the hospital. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused used forged papers that closely mimicked the credentials of the real British cardiologist. Officials are now verifying whether the hospital management was complicit or negligent in vetting the fake doctor’s identity.
Damoh District Collector Sudhir Kochar has stated that he will issue an official statement once the investigation concludes. Meanwhile, Damoh Superintendent of Police Abhishek Tiwari confirmed that a probe is underway into the suspicious deaths and the fraudulent employment of the accused.
Adding a bizarre twist to the case, the fake doctor is also known for his online presence. In July 2023, under the name of Dr. N John Kem, he tweeted urging Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to be sent to France to quell riots there—a post that drew ridicule and was widely mocked. He also reportedly shared digitally altered photos with the CM, furthering his false identity.
As investigations continue, the shocking revelations have sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about vetting procedures in private healthcare institutions, especially those receiving government support under welfare schemes.
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