Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Bombay HC Questions IMA's Locus to Challenge Maharashtra's CCMP Framework
Some doctors in the state of Maharashtra want to help sick people in two different ways.
Doctors trained in homoeopathy, which uses natural remedies, can now also give modern medicine if they finish a special course called CCMP.
A big group of regular doctors called the Indian Medical Association does not think this should be allowed, so they asked a court to stop it.
The Bombay High Court is listening to the case and is now asking a very important question: does the doctors' group even have the right to complain?
The state government says the group is just a club and the law has not hurt them, so they cannot challenge it just because they disagree.
The court is also checking who makes the rules for doctors, the national government or the state.
The judges previously said that special-course doctors can keep working for now.
However, they must only do what they learned and send very sick patients to fully trained doctors.
The court will hear more arguments this Friday before making a final decision.
The Bombay High Court questioned the Indian Medical Association's (IMA) legal standing to challenge Maharashtra's CCMP framework.
The CCMP (Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology) allows homoeopathy practitioners to practise modern medicine after completing the course.
The Maharashtra government argued that the IMA, a voluntary association, has not shown any legal injury from the 2014 amendments to the Maharashtra Medical Council and Medical Practitioners Acts.
The state maintained that its separate state-level registration regime has existed since 1965 and is distinct from central regulation, while the Indian Medical Council has since been replaced by the National Medical Commission.
In September 2025, the court refused to stay CCMP registrations but directed practitioners not to exceed their prescribed competency and to refer serious cases to fully qualified allopathy doctors.
- Who
- A Bombay High Court bench comprising Justices Riyaz Chagla and Farhan Dubash, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and the Maharashtra government represented by Advocate General Milind Sathe.
- What
- The court questioned the IMA's legal standing to challenge provisions allowing CCMP-trained homoeopathy practitioners to practise modern medicine in Maharashtra.
- When
- August 13, 2026; arguments are scheduled to continue on Friday.
- Where
- Bombay High Court, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- The IMA challenged the 2014 amendments introducing the CCMP, while the state argued the IMA has not demonstrated any legal injury from the amendments.
Indian Medical Association (Petitioner)
Maharashtra Government
Right to Challenge the Law
Indian Medical Association (Petitioner)
The IMA argues it can challenge the constitutional validity of the amendments that allow CCMP-trained homoeopaths to practise allopathy.
Maharashtra Government
The state says the IMA is a voluntary association that has failed to show legal injury, so it cannot challenge the law merely because it disagrees with its provisions.
Who Regulates Medical Practice
Indian Medical Association (Petitioner)
The IMA questioned the state's legislative competence to make the amendments; the challenge was not based on an alleged violation of a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(g).
Maharashtra Government
Maharashtra says it creates a separate state-level registration regime, with provisions in place since 1965, alongside central-level regulation of recognised qualifications.
Operation of the CCMP Framework
Indian Medical Association (Petitioner)
The IMA has challenged the legal framework permitting CCMP-trained homoeopaths to practise modern medicine.
Maharashtra Government
The framework remains in force — the High Court refused to stay registrations in September 2025 and instead directed practitioners to remain within their prescribed competency and refer serious cases to fully qualified allopathy doctors.
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Bench
- Justices Riyaz Chagla and Farhan Dubash
- Petitioner
- Indian Medical Association (IMA)
- State Respondent
- Maharashtra, represented by Advocate General Milind Sathe
- Disputed Framework
- Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP)
- Legislation Challenged
- 2014 amendments to the Maharashtra Medical Council Act and Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act
- September 2025 Interim Order
- High Court refused to stay registrations; CCMP practitioners directed to stay within prescribed competency and refer serious cases to fully qualified allopathy doctors
- Next Hearing
- Friday