Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said on Thursday that the government would introduce a stringent law against quacks, warning that action would be taken soon after the Model Code of Conduct for the local body elections is lifted.

Referring to the recent case of Pradeep Jotangia, the ‘yoga guru’ from Surat who was arrested in an alleged fake currency racket, Pansheriya urged the public to stay away from quacks offering remedies and instead visit Ayurvedic practitioners registered with the government.

In a statement, the minister said several Ayurveda practitioners had made representations to him against Jotangiya alias Pradeepji, who was recently arrested by the Detection of Crime Branch of Ahmedabad City police in possession of Rs 2.93 crore worth of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). He is currently in judicial custody.

A statement from the health minister’s office said he had taken serious note of the representation from Ayurvedic practitioners against Jotangiya, who was providing “treatment” in the name of Ayurveda at his ashram located in the Kamrej area of Surat. Jotangiya had allegedly been putting the health of people at risk by practising medicine without a proper professional degree.

“Videos of such quacks inserting needles into the body and spreading superstitions have surfaced. Incidents of patients dying in such cases have also been reported. The state government will bring strict laws against fake doctors in the near future. Since the election code of conduct is currently in force, an investigation and strict drive will be started against such elements as soon as it is lifted.”

Pansheriya also reiterated that all Ayurvedic doctors have to register compulsorily (under the Clinical Establishments Act). Those without a degree or registration will not be allowed to practice at all.

The minister also appealed to the people not to fall into superstition but to seek treatment in hospitals and only from doctors with degrees and qualifications.