Woman dies after quack performs surgery using YouTube tutorial

By Sumesh Rajan | December 11, 2025

Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: A 38-year-old woman died after the owner of an illegal clinic and his nephew allegedly conducted abdominal surgery on her by following a YouTube video, police said on Wednesday. The shocking incident has once again highlighted the rampant menace of unqualified medical practitioners in rural Uttar Pradesh.

The victim, Munishra Rawat, wife of labourer Tehbahadur Rawat, had been suffering from severe abdominal pain. On December 5, her husband took her to the unauthorised Shri Damodar Aushdhalaya in the Kothi police station area. The clinic’s operator, Gyan Prakash Mishra, allegedly claimed her pain was due to “stones” and advised immediate surgery, costing ₹25,000. Tehbahadur paid ₹20,000 upfront.

According to his complaint, Mishra—described by locals as a quack—was under the influence of alcohol during the procedure and began operating after watching a video on YouTube. Mishra allegedly made deep, crude incisions that severed several abdominal veins. Munishra was rushed to a government hospital the next day but died on December 6 due to massive haemorrhage.

Mishra’s nephew, Vivek Kumar Mishra, who works at an Ayurvedic hospital in Raebareli, assisted him during the procedure, giving the illegal clinic a veneer of legitimacy. Police said the facility had been operating for several years without registration or authorisation.

Case Registered; Accused Absconding

Kothi SHO Amit Singh Bhadoriya said a case has been registered against the duo under IPC sections for causing death by negligence, endangering life, and under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as the victim belonged to a Scheduled Caste community. Both accused are absconding, and search operations are underway.

A medical verification team has confirmed that Mishra holds no formal medical qualifications. On Tuesday, the Kothi community health centre superintendent Dr. Sanjeev Kumar sealed the clinic. Police have also seized the mobile phone allegedly used to stream the YouTube tutorial.

Post-Mortem Confirms Fatal Negligence

Post-mortem findings ruled out kidney or gallstones, concluding that the fatal blood loss resulted from deep, unskilled incisions made during the so-called surgery. Preliminary investigation also suggests Mishra was intoxicated during the operation.

Tehbahadur, who borrowed money for the treatment, recounted his anguish: “He cut so deep that the blood wouldn’t stop. We trusted him blindly.” The couple has three young children.

A Wider Problem: Quackery Thriving in Rural India

Officials say the incident reflects a larger pattern of illegal medical practices flourishing in rural regions due to poor healthcare access. Uttar Pradesh alone has sealed more than 1,000 unregistered clinics in recent years, but many continue to operate due to lax enforcement.

Experts say online platforms have worsened the danger by making medical content readily accessible to individuals with no training. Similar incidents involving unqualified practitioners using online videos for procedures have been reported in Bihar, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

Barabanki SP Arpit Vijayvargiya said the case underscores the urgent need for stricter monitoring: “We are intensifying inspections. No leniency will be shown to anyone endangering lives.”

Family Seeks Justice and Compensation

Munishra’s family is demanding swift arrests and government compensation. Local community leaders have called for systematic door-to-door checks to identify unlicensed clinics, while activists have urged harsher penalties for medical negligence resulting in death.

The incident has also reignited debate on digital literacy and responsible content moderation on platforms like YouTube, which host millions of medical videos consumed daily across India.