'Fake doctor' in Rs. 50mn fraud case bailed

A woman alledged to be posing as a fake medical doctor, arrested for alledged Rs. 50 million money fraud, was released on strict bail conditions by Horana Chief Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamaga today (18).

The suspect, who was arrested by the Horana Special Crime Investigation Unit, was produced before court on charges of fraud, criminal misappropriation, and breach of trust.

Police informed the court that the suspect did not possess any valid certification registering her as a government medical practitioner.

It was further revealed that she only possessed a forged Ayurveda medical certificate and a falsified copy of a government medical identity card. Police also told court that she had obtained money from a large number of individuals through these misrepresentations.

Police requested that the suspect be remanded.

Appearing for the defence, attorneys Upthala Athukorala, Nalin Imbulagoda, and Roshan Dehiwala argued that civil disputes and criminal offences must be clearly distinguished.

They submitted that the inability to repay a borrowed sum does not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence, and stated that the suspect had obtained all funds by pledging a vehicle and property as collateral.

They further argued that a significant portion of the alleged money had been returned as interest to complainants’ accounts, and requested bail, noting that the suspect is a resident of Gurugoda, Horana with no prior record of fraud-related offences.

After considering all submissions, the Chief Magistrate imposed bail conditions requiring two sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each for two separate charges, and two sureties of Rs. 5 million each for the remaining charge.

In addition, the court ordered the suspect to report to the Horana Special Crime Investigation Unit on the last Sunday of every month. The case was fixed for hearing again on September 13.