📚Civic Action

How to report medical quackery and "magic" cures in Rajasthan

Someone claiming to suck out kidney stones with a vacuum? That is medical quackery. Here is how to report fraudulent medical claims in Rajasthan using the BNS and DMRA.

HowToHelp Editorial
10 min read
#Rajasthan medical fraud#waist suction kidney stone#report quack doctor Rajasthan#Drugs and Magic Remedies Act#BNS 318 cheating#Rajasthan Sampark 181#CMHO Rajasthan complaint#medical quackery India

The Hook

Imagine your Chacha sends a video to the family WhatsApp group. In it, a man in a village near Jodhpur or Alwar claims he can "suck out" kidney stones through the skin using a technique called "waist suction." No surgery, no pain, just a few minutes of his "special" method for a few hundred rupees. It looks miraculous, and the comments are full of people asking for his location. But while this viral "healer" gains followers, he is actually putting lives at risk. Delaying actual medical treatment for kidney stones can lead to permanent renal failure or life-threatening infections. When "miracle cures" go viral, they aren't just cringe—they are illegal. If you see someone in Rajasthan practicing medicine without a license or claiming "magic" powers to cure diseases, you have the power to shut them down before they hurt someone.

What the law actually says

In India, medical practice and health advertisements are strictly regulated to prevent exactly this kind of exploitation. You don't need to be a victim to take action; any civically conscious citizen can report these activities.

1. The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954

This is the primary law against "miracle" claims. Section 3 and 4 of this Act prohibit any advertisement (including viral videos or social media posts) that claims a drug or a "magic remedy" can cure, diagnose, or prevent specific diseases listed in the Act's Schedule. Kidney stones (urolithiasis) and disorders of the kidney are covered under the broad protective scope of this law.

Under Section 2(c), a "magic remedy" includes a talisman, mantra, kavacha, or any other charm/technique alleged to possess miraculous powers. The man claiming to "vacuum" stones out is practicing a magic remedy. Violation of this Act can lead to imprisonment for up to six months for the first offence, and up to one year for subsequent ones.

2. The National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019

Section 34 of the NMC Act is very clear: no person is entitled to practice medicine unless their name is in the State Medical Register or the National Register. If our "waist suction" expert is not a registered MBBS doctor, he is a "quack." Practicing without registration carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to one year, or a fine of up to ₹5 lakh, or both.

3. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

Since July 1, 2024, the BNS has replaced the IPC. If a quack misleads someone into paying for a fake treatment, it is Cheating under Section 318 of the BNS. Furthermore, if the "suction" technique or any fake treatment poses a risk to the person’s life or safety, the practitioner can be booked under Section 125 of the BNS (Act endangering life or personal safety of others).

4. Rajasthan Medical Act, 1952

At the state level, the Rajasthan Medical Council (RMC) regulates who can call themselves a doctor. Any person falsely pretending to be a registered practitioner in Rajasthan is liable for prosecution under this state statute.

Step-by-step playbook

If you find a viral video or a local clinic in Rajasthan making these claims, follow this path to get them off the streets.

Step 1: Gather the evidence

Before the uploader deletes the video or the quack moves their "shivir" (camp), document everything.

  • What to do: Screen-record the viral video, ensuring the uploader’s handle and the date are visible. Take screenshots of the location, contact numbers, or any "fees" mentioned.
  • What to bring: If you visit the site, take a photo of the clinic’s signboard. Note if there is a registration number (like RMC-12345) displayed. If there isn't one, that is your first red flag.

Step 2: Verify the practitioner

Check if the person is actually a doctor. Many quacks use the prefix "Dr." illegally.

Step 3: File a complaint on Rajasthan Sampark (181)

Rajasthan has a robust grievance system called Rajasthan Sampark. This is the fastest way to get the district administration's attention.

  • What to do: Call 181 or visit the Rajasthan Sampark portal.
  • Details to provide: Mention the exact location (District, Tehsil, Village), the name of the person, and the nature of the "magic cure." Explicitly state that they are violating the "Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954."
  • Timeline: You will receive a Grievance ID. The Health Department usually has to respond within 7–15 days.

Step 4: Report to the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO)

Every district in Rajasthan (e.g., Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur) has a CMHO who is responsible for stopping quackery.

  • What to do: Write a formal letter to the CMHO of the relevant district. You can find their contact details on the Rajasthan Health Department website.
  • What to upload: Attach the evidence you gathered in Step 1. Use the template provided in the next section of this guide.
  • If it fails: If the CMHO doesn't act, you can file an RTI online asking for the "Action Taken Report" on your complaint.

Step 5: Filing an FIR at the local Police Station

If the quack is actively harming people or charging large sums of money, this is a criminal matter.

  • What to do: Go to the nearest police station and ask to file an FIR under Section 173 of the BNSS (which replaced Section 154 of the CrPC).
  • Relevant Sections: Ask the officer to include Section 318 (Cheating) and Section 125 (Endangering life) of the BNS, along with Section 7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.
  • What to do if they refuse: If the SHO refuses to register the FIR, refer to the Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of UP (2014) judgment, which makes FIR registration mandatory for cognizable offences. You can also send your complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP) via registered post. For more details, see our guide on How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse).

Step 6: Report the digital content

If the "waist suction" claim is a viral video on YouTube or Instagram, report the content for "Harmful or Dangerous Acts."

  • What to do: Use the Cyber Crime reporting portal if the video is part of an organized financial scam.
  • Report to ASCI: You can also report misleading medical ads to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) via their WhatsApp number (+91 77100 12345).

To see more ways to protect your community from fraud, browse all civic-action guides.

Where it usually breaks

Reporting a "miracle healer" in Rajasthan isn't always a smooth ride. Here is where the system typically stalls and how you can push through:

  1. The "Traditional Knowledge" Excuse: When you approach a local police station, an officer might dismiss the complaint, calling it "desi ilaaj" (traditional cure) or a "matter of faith." They may claim no crime has been committed because the "patients" are there voluntarily.

    • The Workaround: Cite the Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of U.P. (2014) Supreme Court judgment. Remind them that if a complaint discloses a cognizable offence (like practicing medicine without a license under the NMC Act), they are legally bound to register an FIR under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
  2. The Vanishing Act: Quacks often operate "shivirs" (camps) that move every few days. By the time an official investigates, the healer has crossed the district border.

    • The Workaround: Don't just report to the local Thana. Use the Rajasthan Sampark (181) helpline or portal. This creates a digital trail that the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) monitors. Upload the viral video or the pamphlet showing the "camp" dates as evidence so they can't claim the person doesn't exist.
  3. The AYUSH Loophole: The quack might claim they are a "Vaidya" or "Hakim" to bypass the National Medical Commission.

    • The Workaround: Even AYUSH practitioners must be registered with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) or the Rajasthan Board of Indian Medicine. If they are performing "waist suction" (a surgical-style intervention) or claiming to cure kidney stones via magic, they are still violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, which applies to everyone regardless of their degree.

Templates / script

A. Script for Rajasthan Sampark (181) Helpline

"Hello, I want to register a complaint regarding an illegal medical practice in [District/Village]. A person named [Name, if known] is claiming to cure kidney stones using a 'magic' suction technique. This is a violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, and Section 34 of the NMC Act. They are operating at [Location] and have a viral video on social media. I have the video evidence. Please provide me with a grievance ID for tracking."

B. RTI Template to the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO)

If the authorities are silent, use this RTI to force a response. Send this to the CMHO of the relevant district (e.g., CMHO Jodhpur or CMHO Alwar).

Subject: Information regarding the registration status of [Clinic/Person Name] under RTI Act 2005.

Body: Under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, please provide the following information regarding the establishment 'XYZ Clinic' or 'Mr. ABC' operating at [Address]:

  1. Is the person named [Name] registered as a medical practitioner with the Rajasthan Medical Council or the Board of Indian Medicine, Rajasthan?
  2. Has the department received any complaints regarding 'magic cures' or 'suction therapy' for kidney stones at this location in the last 12 months?
  3. What action has been taken by the CMHO office to verify the medical qualifications of the individuals operating at this site?

C. Social Media Reporting Text

When reporting the viral video on Instagram, YouTube, or X (Twitter), use the 'Scams/Fraud' or 'Health misinformation' category and paste this: "This video promotes a 'magic remedy' for kidney stones which is illegal under the Indian Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. It encourages people to avoid surgery for a serious medical condition, posing a risk to life."

FAQs

1. Can I report a quack anonymously? Yes. While the Rajasthan Sampark portal (sampark.rajasthan.gov.in) requires a login, you can ask the operator on the 181 helpline to keep your details confidential. However, providing your contact info helps if the CMHO needs you to identify the exact location of a hidden clinic.

2. What if the "healer" is a registered BAMS (Ayurveda) doctor? Even a registered BAMS doctor cannot claim "magic" powers. Under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, no one—not even an MBBS doctor—is allowed to advertise "miracle" cures for diseases like kidney stones, cancer, or diabetes. If they are using "waist suction," they are practicing beyond the scope of their training, which is a violation of the NMC Act, 2019.

3. Does it cost anything to file these complaints? Reporting on Rajasthan Sampark (181) or to the Rajasthan Medical Council is free. An RTI application requires a ₹10 postal order. There is no fee for filing an FIR at a police station. If anyone asks for money to "process" your complaint, report them to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on 1064.

4. How long does it take for action to be taken? Rajasthan Sampark usually has a resolution window of 7–15 days. For serious medical fraud involving immediate physical risk, the CMHO or the drug inspector can conduct a raid within 24–48 hours if the evidence (like a viral video) is compelling.

5. What if someone was actually harmed by the "waist suction"? If a person has suffered pain, infection, or worsening of stones due to this treatment, you should help them file a criminal case under Section 125 of the BNS (endangering life) and Section 318 of the BNS (cheating). They can also approach the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for compensation.

6. Is "faith healing" (mantras/tantra) also illegal? Yes, if it is advertised as a cure for a disease. The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act specifically names "mantras, talismans, and charms" as magic remedies. If someone claims a "kavacha" or "mantra" can dissolve kidney stones, they are breaking the law.

7. How do I check if a Rajasthan doctor is real? Visit the Rajasthan Medical Council's search page. You can search by name. If their name doesn't appear in the RMC or the NMC National Register, they are legally not allowed to practice modern medicine in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I report a quack anonymously?

Yes. While the Rajasthan Sampark portal (sampark.rajasthan.gov.in) requires a login, you can ask the operator on the 181 helpline to keep your details confidential. However, providing your contact info helps if the CMHO needs you to identify the exact location of a hidden clinic.

2. What if the "healer" is a registered BAMS (Ayurveda) doctor?

Even a registered BAMS doctor cannot claim "magic" powers. Under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, no one—not even an MBBS doctor—is allowed to advertise "miracle" cures for diseases like kidney stones, cancer, or diabetes. If they are using "waist suction," they are practicing beyond the scope of their training, which is a violation of the **NMC Act, 2019**.

3. Does it cost anything to file these complaints?

Reporting on Rajasthan Sampark (181) or to the Rajasthan Medical Council is free. An RTI application requires a ₹10 postal order. There is no fee for filing an FIR at a police station. If anyone asks for money to "process" your complaint, report them to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on 1064.

4. How long does it take for action to be taken?

Rajasthan Sampark usually has a resolution window of 7–15 days. For serious medical fraud involving immediate physical risk, the CMHO or the drug inspector can conduct a raid within 24–48 hours if the evidence (like a viral video) is compelling.

5. What if someone was actually harmed by the "waist suction"?

If a person has suffered pain, infection, or worsening of stones due to this treatment, you should help them file a criminal case under **Section 125 of the BNS** (endangering life) and **Section 318 of the BNS** (cheating). They can also approach the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for compensation.

6. Is "faith healing" (mantras/tantra) also illegal?

Yes, if it is advertised as a cure for a disease. The **Drugs and Magic Remedies Act** specifically names "mantras, talismans, and charms" as magic remedies. If someone claims a "kavacha" or "mantra" can dissolve kidney stones, they are breaking the law.

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Report Medical Quackery and Magic Cures in Rajasthan · HowToHelp