Kota: A team from the district medical and health department has sealed a clinic run by newly elected Congress councillor Siyaram Verma over allegations of unauthorised medical practice.The team inspected Verma’s healthcare centre on Balita Road Wednesday afternoon and subsequently sealed it, following a complaint alleging that it was being run without a valid medical degree or registration.The action comes two days before the mayoral elections scheduled Friday.Kota police have registered a case against newly elected Congress councillor Siyaram Verma over allegations of unauthorised medical practice at his clinic in Kota. Police said the case was registered Wednesday on a complaint by the chief medical and health officer (CMHO), Kota.Circle inspector Devesh Bhardwaj said Verma, councillor from ward 42, was charged with offences under sections 318(4), 319(2), 271 and 272 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 15 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.Verma, however, claimed he has a nursing degree and has been running the establishment for about 20 years. Speaking to local media, he said he provided only basic services, including administering injections and drips, on prescriptions issued by registered doctors. He also alleged that the action against his clinic was politically motivated.Speaking to TOI, Kota Congress city president Rakhi Gautam Thursday alleged that the action was part of an attempt by BJP to put pressure on Congress councillors ahead of the mayoral and deputy mayoral elections. She said Congress councillors and workers would not succumb to such pressure.Gautam also alleged that Congress councillors had initially been approached to switch allegiance to BJP. She claimed that local authorities and administrative and financial resources were being used to pressure Congress representatives by threatening action against their businesses and establishments.BJP has 57 councillors in the 100-member municipal corporation, while Congress has 39 and independents four. The councillors were elected on Sept 11.
