Kolkata Doctor Exonerated After Nine-Year Legal Battle, Plans to Focus on Alternative Cancer Therapy
In a significant legal victory, Dr. Aradeep Chatterjee, a prominent figure in alternative cancer therapies from Kolkata, has been exonerated from all charges of illegal medical practice and financial misconduct after a protracted nine-year legal battle. The Fast Track-I Court of Barasat and the Special ED Court of Kolkata dismissed the allegations as "groundless", bringing closure to a case that began in June 2017.
Arrest and Investigation Details
Dr. Aradeep Chatterjee, a corresponding member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), was arrested in 2017 along with his father, Ashim Kumar Chatterjee, a homeopath and co-accused. The charges included unlawful medical practice and money laundering, leading to an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This resulted in the attachment of the Chatterjees' savings and properties, causing severe financial strain.
Court Ruling and Legal Outcome
After years of rigorous trial, both courts acquitted Dr. Chatterjee, with his advocates stating that "all the charges were false, concocted, motivated, groundless, and preposterous." The relevant orders of acquittal and discharge have attained finality, leading to the release and return of his savings along with accrued interest.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Dr. Chatterjee expressed his faith in the judiciary, saying, "Despite being falsely accused, I had full faith in our judiciary. My vindication establishes that I obeyed all the laws of our land... We should not blindly accept the allegations levelled on us... let them be adjudicated by a competent court because it is only the court's final verdict that matters and is binding on society."
Personal and Professional Impact
Dr. Chatterjee described the personal toll of the case, noting that his credibility and reputation were tarnished, leading to social isolation and abuse. He faced a serious financial crisis but refused to concede defeat. He added, "My vindication proves that my country has a very strong and progressive constitution which safeguards our rights and never denies justice."
Future Focus on Psorinum Therapy
With the legal battle behind him, Dr. Chatterjee now plans to focus on Psorinum Therapy, an alternative approach for treating advanced-stage cancer (Stage IV), particularly inoperable cases of pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder cancer. He emphasized, "This therapy can play a crucial role in managing the cancer burden of our country because it is cost-effective and does not have any notable side effects. I will continue to devote full effort towards my goal to integrate Psorinum Therapy into the mainstream oncology treatments."
This case highlights the challenges faced by practitioners of alternative medicine in India and underscores the importance of legal perseverance in upholding justice. Dr. Chatterjee's exoneration not only clears his name but also paves the way for further exploration of innovative cancer treatments in the healthcare landscape.
