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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
If you find a viral video or a local clinic in Rajasthan making these claims, follow this path to get them off the streets.
Before the uploader deletes the video or the quack moves their "shivir" (camp), document everything.
Check if the person is actually a doctor. Many quacks use the prefix "Dr." illegally.
Rajasthan has a robust grievance system called Rajasthan Sampark. This is the fastest way to get the district administration's attention.
Every district in Rajasthan (e.g., Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur) has a CMHO who is responsible for stopping quackery.
If the quack is actively harming people or charging large sums of money, this is a criminal matter.
If the "waist suction" claim is a viral video on YouTube or Instagram, report the content for "Harmful or Dangerous Acts."
To see more ways to protect your community from fraud, browse all civic-action guides.
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:
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 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 AYUSH Loophole: The quack might claim they are a "Vaidya" or "Hakim" to bypass the National Medical Commission.
"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."
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]:
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."
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.
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.
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**.
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.
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.
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.
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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