3 weeks ago
Maharashtra Medical Council Speeds Up Doctor Complaint Redressal, Backlog Remains
Doctors help keep people healthy, but sometimes people feel a doctor did something wrong, like making a mistake during treatment or charging too much money.
When that happens, people can file a complaint with a special group in Maharashtra called the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).
This group's job is to look into complaints against doctors to see if the doctor really did something wrong.
For a long time, the council was very slow at dealing with these complaints — in some years it solved none at all.
In 2022, it solved only two complaints.
Now the council is trying to go faster, and in 2026 it solved 43 complaints, the most in recent years.
But there are still 849 complaints waiting to be solved, and some of them are very old.
The council says it must take time to be fair because doctors deserve a chance to explain their side.
It now holds hearings every 15 days to deal with more cases.
Patient groups say the council should work even faster so people can trust that their complaints are handled properly.
The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) disposed of 43 complaints against doctors in 2026, its highest disposal rate in recent years.
A backlog of 849 complaints remains pending, including a 2017 case that has reportedly seen no hearing in nine years.
The MMC received 301 complaints between 2022 and July 2026 alleging negligence, overcharging, false certificates, unethical conduct and deficient treatment.
Administrator Dr Vinky Rughvani said hearings are now held every 15 days and each complaint follows a merit-based quasi-judicial process.
Patient rights groups and health activist Chetan Kothari urged time-bound disposal norms to clear the mounting backlog.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), its Administrator Dr Vinky Rughvani, health activist Chetan Kothari, patient rights groups, and doctors facing complaints.
- What
- The MMC stepped up hearings and disposed of 43 complaints against doctors in 2026, the most in recent years, while 849 complaints remain pending.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India, primarily Mumbai.
- When
- Reported on August 8, 2026; disposal figures cover up to mid-July 2026.
- Why
- To clear a large backlog of complaints alleging medical negligence, overcharging, false certificates, unethical conduct and deficient treatment, and to restore confidence in the state's medical regulatory system.
Patient Rights Groups and Activists
Maharashtra Medical Council Administration
Speed of complaint disposal
Patient Rights Groups and Activists
Delays are unacceptable: a 2017 complaint has had no hearing in nine years, activist Chetan Kothari's complaint against a pathologist in Kandivali remains pending, and the council should adopt time-bound disposal norms with more frequent hearings.
Maharashtra Medical Council Administration
Complaint disposal follows a quasi-judicial process that cannot be rushed; every complaint is examined on merit, doctors get a fair opportunity to present their side, and hearings are now held every 15 days.
Confidence in the regulatory system
Patient Rights Groups and Activists
The mounting backlog erodes confidence in Maharashtra's medical regulatory system and demands a stronger inquiry mechanism.
Maharashtra Medical Council Administration
Redressal has improved considerably compared with earlier years, when hardly five to ten cases were redressed.
Key facts
- Complaints disposed in 2026
- 43
- Pending complaints (till mid-July 2026)
- 849
- Complaints received (2022–July 2026)
- 301
- Complaints disposed in 2022
- 2
- Complaints disposed in 2023–2024
- 0
- Complaints disposed in 2025
- 25
- Hearing frequency
- Every 15 days
- MMC Administrator
- Dr Vinky Rughvani
Quotes
Dr Vinky Rughvani
Administrator of the Maharashtra Medical Council
“Every complaint is examined on merit. Many doctors seek time, and it takes multiple hearings. Doctors are given a fair opportunity to present their side, evidence is scrutinised, and only then is a final decision taken.”
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