Fake Doctor Flees After Performing “YouTube Surgery” That Killed Woman in Uttar Pradesh

Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India —
In a shocking case that has once again exposed the dangerous underbelly of unregulated healthcare in rural India, a woman lost her life after undergoing a horrific and illegal surgery performed by a fake doctor who allegedly relied on YouTube videos for medical guidance.

The incident occurred in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh, where Munishra Rawat, who had visited a local clinic complaining of severe abdominal pain, died a day after undergoing what authorities have described as a reckless, unscientific, and criminal surgical procedure.

Police have confirmed that the clinic was operating without a valid license and that the main accused, Gyan Prakash Mishra, along with his associate Vivek Mishra, are currently absconding.

A Visit for Abdominal Pain That Turned Fatal

According to police records and family statements, Munishra Rawat began experiencing intense abdominal pain on December 5. Concerned about her worsening condition, her husband rushed her to a nearby clinic in their area, unaware that the establishment was not legally authorized to practice modern medicine or surgery.

The clinic was being run by Gyan Prakash Mishra and his nephew Vivek Mishra. Despite lacking recognized medical qualifications and official registration, the clinic had reportedly been operating for years, catering to local residents who trusted it due to its accessibility and lower costs.

After conducting an ultrasound examination, Gyan Prakash Mishra informed the family that Munishra was suffering from kidney stones. He claimed the stones had grown dangerously large and insisted that immediate surgery was necessary to save her life.

A Cut-Rate Surgery Offer

Initially, the accused demanded 25,000 rupees for the surgery. After negotiation, he agreed to perform the operation for 20,000 rupees, a price far below what legitimate hospitals charge for such procedures.

For Munishra’s family, who came from a modest background, the reduced cost and the urgency presented by the “doctor” left little room for doubt or second thoughts.

Trusting his words, they consented.

That decision would prove fatal.

Surgery “Learned from Social Media”

According to Munishra’s husband, Gyan Prakash Mishra claimed he had called other doctors to assist with the procedure. When no one arrived, he allegedly decided to perform the surgery alone, assuring the family that he knew the procedure well.

Police investigations later revealed a horrifying truth: Gyan Prakash Mishra had no formal training in surgery and allegedly relied on YouTube videos to guide the procedure.

Even more disturbingly, authorities stated that he was intoxicated at the time of surgery.

A Brutal and Unscientific Operation

What followed inside the clinic has been described by investigators and medical experts as nothing short of barbaric.

Instead of performing a medically accepted kidney stone procedure, Gyan allegedly made deep and uncontrolled incisions into Munishra’s abdomen. During the process, he severely damaged multiple vital organs, including:

The stomach

The small intestine

The esophagus

Despite these catastrophic injuries, the kidney stone remained untouched.

Doctors later reviewing the post-mortem findings said the surgery showed no understanding of human anatomy, let alone surgical technique.

Munishra reportedly screamed in pain during and after the procedure. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she succumbed to her injuries the following evening, enduring hours of extreme suffering.

The Role of Vivek Mishra

Police stated that Vivek Mishra, Gyan’s nephew, assisted during the operation. Vivek is reportedly employed at a traditional medicine hospital in Raebareli, raising further concerns about how individuals associated with healthcare institutions may misuse public trust.

Investigators believe that Vivek’s government-linked position may have helped the illegal clinic operate unnoticed for years, lending it a false appearance of legitimacy.

Family Files Complaint, Clinic Exposed

After Munishra’s death, her husband filed a formal complaint with the local authorities. Acting on the complaint, police raided the clinic, ordered a post-mortem examination, and sealed the premises.

The autopsy report confirmed that Munishra died due to internal bleeding, organ damage, and surgical trauma, consistent with gross medical negligence.

Senior police officer Amit Singh Bhaduria confirmed that a case has been registered against both accused under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

“The clinic has been sealed, and a full investigation is underway. The accused are currently on the run but will be arrested soon,” Bhaduria said.

Accused on the Run

Following the incident, both Gyan Prakash Mishra and Vivek Mishra fled the area. Police teams have been dispatched to multiple locations across Uttar Pradesh to trace them.

Authorities are also investigating whether similar illegal procedures were performed on other patients in the past.

“This may not be an isolated case,” said a senior investigating officer. “There are strong indications that this clinic had been operating illegally for several years.”

Public Outrage and Shock

The case has sparked widespread outrage across India, with many questioning how such clinics continue to function openly despite strict medical regulations.

On social media, users expressed anger and disbelief:

“How can someone watch YouTube and perform surgery?”

“This is murder, not negligence.”

“The healthcare system has failed the poor.”

Medical associations have also condemned the incident, calling for stricter enforcement, better public awareness, and harsher penalties for medical imposters.

A Larger Problem: Quack Doctors in India

Healthcare experts say this case highlights a systemic problem in rural and semi-urban India, where fake doctors, commonly known as “quacks,” continue to thrive.

Factors contributing to the issue include:

Lack of accessible government hospitals

High costs of private healthcare

Low medical awareness among rural populations

Weak regulatory enforcement

According to studies, thousands of unlicensed practitioners operate across India, often performing dangerous procedures far beyond their knowledge.

YouTube Medicine: A Growing Concern

This case also raises alarms about the misuse of online medical content. While platforms like YouTube can provide educational material for trained professionals, experts warn that unqualified individuals using such content for real-life procedures pose a deadly risk.

“Watching a video does not make someone a surgeon,” said a senior surgeon from Lucknow. “This is a gross misuse of information and a crime against humanity.”

Legal and Ethical Implications

Legal experts say the accused could face severe punishment, including long-term imprisonment, if convicted.

“This is not a case of simple negligence,” said a legal analyst. “Operating without a license, performing surgery while intoxicated, and causing death constitute serious criminal offenses.”

Human rights groups have also demanded compensation for the victim’s family and accountability from local health authorities who failed to shut down the illegal clinic earlier.

A Family Destroyed

For Munishra Rawat’s family, no legal action can undo the loss.

“She went to the clinic walking on her own,” her husband said in a tearful statement. “She trusted them. I trusted them. Now she is gone.”

The family has demanded strict punishment and hopes their tragedy will prevent similar deaths in the future.

Conclusion: A Preventable Death

The death of Munishra Rawat was entirely preventable. It was not caused by illness, but by ignorance, greed, and criminal negligence.

As authorities hunt for the accused, the case serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to strengthen healthcare oversight in India. Without immediate reforms, experts warn, such tragedies will continue to claim innocent lives.

For now, a family mourns, a nation demands justice, and a disturbing question remains unanswered:

How many more lives will be lost before fake medicine is stopped for good?