Is Yuvraj Singh's Doctor Fake?

Jatin Chaudhry, Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh's physiotherapist, has been in news ever since he announced that the celebrated batsman was suffering from cancer.

It appears that the doctor doesn't hold any recognized degree in medicine, physiotherapy or any branch of Indian systems of medicine, according to the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) records.

Moreover, there have been complains against the self-styled doctor and he was under the scanner of the medical regulatory body in June 2009. At that time, a patient had complained that Chaudhry was practicing allopathic medicine in Haqeeqat Nagar and the council had asked the chief district medical officer to raid his clinic and file a report.

Later, he was called to the council and asked to produce all his medical certificates. But Chaudhry sent a letter through his lawyer stating that he was a physiotherapist to several sportspersons, including Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Sania Mirza and hence he had no time to appear in person, Dr Anil Bansal, chairman of DMC's anti-quackery cell, was reported as saying by news agencies.

He attached two of his medical degrees along with the letter which were issued by the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine (dated Feb 6, 2007) and Kerala-based All India Association of Physiotherapists( dated Sept 2, 2009).

Both are not medical degrees and do not allow anyone to use prefix Dr, which he has been doing, said Bansal.

However, Chaudhry's Web site claims that he has a PhD in sports medicine from New Age International University, Italy, besides being Masters in Physiotherapy (no institute mentioned) and a practitioner of acupuncture, says the report.

The Web site also offers services for infectious diseases, cardiovascular, gynaecological and neurological disorders.

The Health Ministry in 2003 clearly announced after a High Court directive that nobody practicing alternative systems could be called a doctor. Chaudhry's physiotherapy certificate, which was obtained after a complaint was registered against him, is also not from a recognized body.

He is not even registered with the Delhi Physiotherapy Council (DPC), which is mandatory to practice physiotherapy in Delhi. The DMC cannot take action against Chaudhry because he has not been caught practicing allopathic medicine in the national capital.

The council, in its final order, referred the matter to the health department of the Delhi government and the DPC for taking suitable action. The DPC informed us that he was not registered even with them, said DMC secretary Girish Tyagi.

The report said Chaudhry could not be reached for comment.