A shocking case of medical fraud has emerged from Faridabad, Haryana, where an MBBS doctor masquerading as a cardiologist performed over 50 heart procedures at a hospital before his deception was discovered. The individual, identified as Pankaj Mohan Sharma, put countless lives at risk while working at a heart care center in Badshah Khan civil hospital. He was not authorized to perform critical cardiac surgeries.

The fraudulent activities came to light after a complaint was lodged by Sanjay Gupta, a lawyer and social activist, alleging that Sharma had obtained additional degrees using forged documents. Further investigation revealed that Sharma had been operating under a stolen identity, misappropriating the national medical commission's registration number of a legitimate cardiologist named Dr. Pankaj Mohan, who practices in the same city.

Sharma was hired in July 2024 by Mediterina Hospital, which runs the heart care center at Badshah Khan under a public-private partnership. He falsely claimed to possess qualifications of MD and DNB (cardiology), which were later found to be entirely fabricated. The hospital management is now under scrutiny for allegedly failing to properly verify Sharma's credentials before employing him.

Adding another layer to the deception, Sharma maintained a Facebook profile under the name 'Kshitiz Mohan' and was listed as the director of a film production firm, further raising questions about his medical background.

The real Dr. Pankaj Mohan filed a complaint with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in January 2025, reporting the illegal use of his credentials by Sharma. He also issued a legal notice to the fake cardiologist. Sharma stopped attending the center in February 2025, after being asked to produce his medical degree.

The heart center where Sharma worked has been under scrutiny for irregularities. It was officially shut down in February 2025. During the last months of operation, Sharma conducted over 50 operations, putting dozens of lives at risk. There are reports that three patients died after surgeries performed by Sharma, while over 30 were transferred to other hospitals due to complications.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is currently investigating the case. Authorities have identified at least 50 patients who underwent procedures by the impostor. Some patients have submitted complaints through the CM Window, the Haryana chief minister's grievance portal.

This incident has raised serious questions about the verification processes followed by hospitals when hiring medical professionals. It has also triggered concerns about the safety and well-being of patients who may have been affected by the fraudulent doctor's actions.