Who is Shamir Chandran? The Indian-origin oncologist jailed in the UK in his absence

Dr Shamir Chandran, an Indian-origin clinical oncologist who was sentenced in his absence to four years' imprisonment over alleged coercive behaviour, has been struck off the UK's medical register following a tribunal hearing.
Chandran, who worked with the National Health Service (NHS) in north-west England, was convicted last November at Carlisle Crown Court of two counts of 'controlling/coercive behaviour' and one count of 'cruelty to a person under the age of 16', relating to two unnamed females, according to PTI. He has denied any wrongdoing and has since left Britain.

Shamir Chandran is an Indian-origin oncologist (a cancer specialist doctor) based in the UK. His areas of expertise include oncology, cancer research, chemotherapy, brachytherapy, and breast cancer.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he attended the Indian High School in Dubai. He completed his MBBS from 1995 to 2000 at the Academy of Medical Sciences in Pariyaram, Kannur, Kerala. Later, he pursued an MD (Doctor of Medicine) in Radiation Oncology at the Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Karnataka. He holds a speciality certificate in Medical Oncology (MRCP) and an FRCR in Clinical Oncology.

Shamir Chandran’s clinical journey began in Southeast Asia, where he served as a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Sarawak General Hospital in Malaysia. Later, he worked at the Brunei Cancer Centre (TBCC), where he held the position of Senior Medical Officer. In 2020, Chandran moved to the United Kingdom, where he worked as an Associate Specialist Clinical Oncologist at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He has also worked at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and is no longer employed there.

Shamir Chandran is banned from practising in the UK because the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) concluded that his fitness to practise was impaired due to his conviction and struck him off. According to the tribunal, his conviction at Carlisle Crown Court is particularly serious because his actions were persistent and repeated.

"It was directed towards people who were vulnerable and involved elements of premeditation, seeking financial gain from [his victim] through intimidation," the tribunal said.
In the sentencing judgement, the tribunal said his course of conduct was both 'coercive', 'controlling', and 'persistent over a lengthy period of time'.
“Due to his lack of insight and the risk of him repeating his actions, the Tribunal considered that there was a current and ongoing risk to public protection because of Dr Chandran's conviction. The Tribunal considered that there was a real risk of him harming someone in the future. It is considered that public confidence in the profession would be harmed if Dr Chandran were allowed to practise unrestricted, and that fellow members of the profession would be shocked if a finding of impairment were not made,” it said.

Chandran did not attend either the criminal trial at Carlisle Crown Court or the disciplinary hearings. Authorities believe he has fled the country. Cumbria Police confirmed there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest. According to the tribunal documents, he has resigned from his NHS position.

"Due to the GMC action, I had to resign from my job and leave the UK. I don't know how I can help with these proceedings now, as I am not working at present," he said in an email submitted during the case.

In his email to the GMC on 25 March 2026, Chandran denied any wrongdoing.
"I don't care anymore about the proceedings, as my career has already been destroyed. I am utterly disgusted with the way I have been treated in the UK, and I will never work in that country again. They treated me like a common criminal without giving any regard to what I had to say and the impact of what they were doing," he said in the email.