At least one doctor who had had his licence revoked years ago was arrested while 36 others with suspect antecedents were discovered in a drive to curb the menace of bogus physicians operating in the city.

Officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, launched the drive two months ago. They found one doctor who was practising in Powai despite his medical registration having been cancelled seven years ago. The doctor was later remanded in police custody.

According to FDA joint commissioner (Greater Mumbai) Suhas Chaudhari, two drug inspectors, PM Patil and MM Dongalikar, had specific information about Sarfaraz A Khan, who was practising in the Tunga village area in Powai.

“The quack was illegally selling allopathic medicines as well as cosmetics through his clinic behind Hotel Ruchi, in Tunga village,” Chaudhari said. “Since the inspectors suspected the genuineness of his registration certificate during their visit in December 2009, we decided to make an enquiry with the Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine, Mumbai.”

The council reported that Khan’s registration had been cancelled in 2003. Dr DU Dange, acting superintendent of the council, confirmed to the FDA that Khan was practising illegally. Moreover, some of the stock of allopathic medicines found in Khan’s clinic turned out to be spurious.

“We informed the Powai police station about the doctor and a first information report (FIR) was lodged against him,” Chaudhari said. “The quack was arrested on March 5.”

During investigation it was found that the crime branch of the Mumbai police had carried out an investigation against Khan, which had led to the cancellation of his registration, Chaudhari said.

Apart from Khan, the FDA has short-listed 36 other medical practitioners of dubious antecedents and sent their names to the medical council for verification, Chaudhari said. Action would be initiated against them once the council confirms their status.