2 hrs ago
Bombay High Court Reserves Verdict On Homoeopaths’ Allopathy Practice
The Bombay High Court is deciding whether some homoeopathic practitioners can practise modern medicine in Maharashtra.
These practitioners complete a course called the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology.
After completing it, they can register with the Maharashtra Medical Council.
The Indian Medical Association says this permission conflicts with central medical law.
Maharashtra’s government says the state can maintain its own registration system.
It also says the doctors’ association has not shown how the law legally harms it.
The court previously allowed registrations to continue while the case was being decided.
It told the practitioners not to work beyond their training and to send serious cases to fully qualified allopathic doctors.
The judges have now finished hearing arguments and will issue their decision later.
The Bombay High Court reserved judgment on the Indian Medical Association’s challenge to Maharashtra’s 2014 medical-law amendments.
The amendments created the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology for homoeopaths seeking Maharashtra Medical Council registration.
The Indian Medical Association argued that CCMP-qualified homoeopaths cannot practise modern medicine under central law.
Maharashtra defended its separate registration framework and questioned whether the Indian Medical Association had legal standing to file the case.
The court had earlier allowed registrations to continue while requiring practitioners to stay within their competence and refer serious cases to fully qualified allopathic doctors.
- Who
- The Indian Medical Association, the Maharashtra government, CCMP-qualified homoeopaths, and a Bombay High Court bench of Justices Riyaz Chagla and Farhan Dubash.
- What
- The court reserved judgment on a challenge to Maharashtra laws allowing CCMP-qualified homoeopaths to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council and practise modern medicine.
- Where
- The Bombay High Court in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- When
- The judgment was reserved on September 10, 2026; the court had refused to stay registrations in September 2025.
- Why
- The Indian Medical Association argues that the state framework conflicts with central law, while Maharashtra defends its separate registration system and challenges the association’s standing.
Indian Medical Association’s Position
Maharashtra Government’s Position
Eligibility to practise modern medicine
Indian Medical Association’s Position
The Indian Medical Association says homoeopathy practitioners who complete the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology are not permitted under central law to practise modern medicine.
Maharashtra Government’s Position
Maharashtra defends the state amendments that allow qualifying homoeopathy practitioners to register and practise within the state framework.
Validity of the state framework
Indian Medical Association’s Position
The Indian Medical Association argues that Maharashtra’s amendments are contrary to central law and questions the state’s authority to create this pathway.
Maharashtra Government’s Position
The government says Maharashtra has a separate registration framework and that similar provisions have existed in state legislation since 1965.
Standing to bring the case
Indian Medical Association’s Position
The Indian Medical Association has brought the constitutional challenge on behalf of its concerns about the framework.
Maharashtra Government’s Position
The state argues that the association is a voluntary organization and has not shown a legal injury or a violation of doctors’ professional rights.
Key facts
- Case status
- The Bombay High Court has reserved its judgment after completing arguments.
- Petitioner
- Indian Medical Association
- Challenged measures
- The 2014 amendments to the Maharashtra Medical Council Act and the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act
- Qualification
- Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology
- Registration body
- Maharashtra Medical Council
- Earlier court order
- In September 2025, the court refused to stay CCMP registrations pending the final outcome.
- Practice restriction
- Registered practitioners were directed not to exceed their prescribed competence and to refer serious cases to fully qualified allopathic doctors.
Quotes
Milind Sathe
Advocate General representing the Maharashtra government
“IMA is a voluntary association of doctors. How are they aggrieved by this Act?”
freepressjournal.in
“We strongly believe this category should be prohibited in India”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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