In the name of aid: Doctor booked for promising HIV cure, taking Rs 19.5 lakh

According to the complainant, the doctor told him that he will get him treated at a hospital in the US for Rs 50 lakh.

A doctor in Rajasthan has been booked by the police for allegedly duping an HIV-positive patient of Rs 19.5 lakh, promising him a cure for AIDS.

India had 2.1 million people living with HIV at the end of 2016. (HT File)

The patient filed a complaint against the doctor, identified as Sanjay Gakhar, at Dabwali police station in Sirsa saying he was getting treatment from the doctor in Ganganagar for HIV.

According to the complainant, the doctor told him that he will get him treated at a hospital in the US for Rs 50 lakh. He demanded Rs 20 lakh in advance to initiate the patient’s application.

The doctor also made the man meet a couple who claimed to have been cured of their AIDS disease through the same process.

Convinced and desperate for a cure, the man paid Rs 19.5 lakh to the doctor.

However, a few days later, the doctor said he will not be able to take him to America as his passport and visa could not be arranged, and promised to pay back the money.

The man alleged that the doctor failed to return his money.

Vinod Kumar, station house officer (SHO) of Sadar police station in Dabwali, said, “Based on the complaint, we have registered a zero FIR under section 406 (Criminal breach of trust) and 420 (fraud) against Dr Sanjay Gakhar. We will send the case to the concerned Rajasthan police who can further investigate the matter .”

Less than half the people living with HIV are on treatment, which is given free under National AIDS Control Programme.