HC notice to govt in ayurvedist case

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court issued notice to the state govt and regulatory authorities concerned over a complaint against an ayurveda doctor for allegedly practising allopathic medicine.The petition was filed by Porbandar resident Gulam Nabi Bukhari, highlighting that an ayurvedic practitioner in Ranavav town of Porbandar district, Pragnesh Kanani, was practising allopathy, though he held a degree in Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and was not entitled to practise allopathy according to the rules.
Through his advocates, Hemal Shah and Dhwani Lakhani, the petitioner submitted that he complained to the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine about Kanani practising allopathy and prescribing allopathic medicines. Prescribing some allopathic medicines for primary treatment is permitted, but Kanani prescribed heavy drugs, including Schedule-H drugs, the lawyers submitted.They further submitted that the commission, in Oct 2025, forwarded the petitioner's complaint to the Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic and Unani Systems of Medicine, which is an authority to take action on such complaints. However, the board did not take any action in this regard. This prompted the petitioner to approach the high court, seeking directions to the authorities concerned to take necessary action in accordance with law.The govt lawyer submitted that the petitioner should file a public interest litigation instead of seeking action against one ayurveda practitioner, as he was not an affected party or seeking relief for himself.Upon hearing this, Justice Aniruddha Mayee said, "By the present writ petition, the petitioner prays for an appropriate direction to the respondent authorities to take necessary action in accordance with law." The high court issued notices to the state govt, commissioner of health, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, the Gujarat Board of Ayurvedic and Unani Systems of Medicine, district health officer, taluka health officer, Gujarat Medical Council, and the ayurveda practitioner, who was accused of practising allopathic medicine.