Father-son ophthalmologists booked in Navi Mumbai as 5 patients lose vision after cataract surgery

As per the police, a 67-year-old man with cataract had approached the hospital, and the two ophthalmologists conducted his surgery in March. The complainant said that besides him, four others who had surgeries there since December 2024 also lost vision.

The matter was brought to the attention of the civil surgeon, whose recent report corroborated the complainant’s allegations. The report was recently sent to the Vashi police and the case was registered.

An officer said the doctors are accused of having conducted the surgeries in a rash, hasty and negligent manner. As a result, five patients, including a couple aged above 65, suffered severe eye injuries. The victims were reportedly diagnosed with serious infections caused by the pseudomonas virus following the surgeries.

“We are checking if doctors are allowed to carry out surgeries at the age of 87,” said Sanjay Dhumal, Senior Inspector, Vashi police station. The police also found that the doctors had not renewed their licences with the Maharashtra Medical Council, the senior inspector said.

The doctors were booked under sections 125(a), 125(b) (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as provisions of the National Medical Commission Act.