Living his dream in disguise, impostor walks into AIIMS as ‘doctor’ lands in lock up

Raipur: In a strange case of ambition gone wrong, a 38-year-old graduate was arrested after trying to pass himself off as a doctor at AIIMS Raipur using a forged identity card and a medical apron. The man, identified as Durjan Singh Goyal, entered the hospital campus posing as a medical specialist but was caught by alert staff on Wednesday when he failed to produce valid credentials. He was then handed over to the police. "During questioning, the man confessed that he wanted to be a doctor, and this desire led him to commit the act," police said. A woman found wearing an apron on the campus was also detained but later released on the benefit of doubt. Hospital officials said the timely action of security guard Suryakant Mishra and deputy nursing superintendent Jekka Pradeep Kumar prevented any possible misuse or patient deception. AIIMS Raipur authorities have tightened security and urged visitors to verify staff identities. Amanaka police have registered a case against Goyal and are probing whether he targeted patients earlier. As a premier tertiary healthcare and academic institution, AIIMS Raipur witnesses heavy daily footfall. Officials said some individuals take advantage of the rush to pose as doctors or staff members with the intent to defraud visitors. Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Raipur, Lt Gen Ashok Jindal, urged the public to remain vigilant and verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be an institute official.He warned that stringent legal action would be taken against those found engaging in fraudulent activities on campus.