DAMOH: Dr Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, also known as N John Camm, was arrested after his craving for chicken ultimately led police to him, amid serious allegations of conducting unauthorised cardiac procedures at Mission Hospital in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh
The case surfaced after the deaths of seven patients who had undergone angioplasties reportedly performed by Dr Camm. As suspicions grew, authorities launched an investigation. However, when officials went to question him, he had already fled his hotel room, leaving behind no trace.
To make matters more puzzling, no valid residential address was found in the documents he submitted at the hospital.
An FIR was filed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, but the investigation initially stalled. A breakthrough came when police analysed his call detail records (CDRs) and found frequent contact with a chicken meat seller in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
After fleeing Damoh in February, Camm reportedly kept trying to order meat from the same seller. He even sent his live location via WhatsApp to ensure the deliveries reached him, despite the seller’s hesitation.
This pattern led investigators to a rented house, where they found and arrested the accused. When police knocked on the door, Camm allegedly opened it without resistance and showed little surprise.
Sources confirmed that the chicken orders were placed after he left Damoh, suggesting he was actively avoiding authorities. During interrogation, officials found that he had been operating under a false identity.
He told investigators that he adopted the Christian name “John Camm” while working in the UK to avoid racial bias and gain more respect, and later continued using it to boost his career in India.
He also claimed he intended to open a chain of cardiology hospitals across the country.
However, discrepancies in his documents soon emerged. His father’s name and date of birth differed across records. Although he holds an MBBS degree under the name Narendra Yadav, his medical registration had been cancelled by the Medical Council of India in 2014 for five years due to misconduct. This cancellation had been publicly noted in a parliamentary response.
Dr Camm is currently in police custody on a five-day remand. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the extent of his alleged unauthorised surgeries and the use of multiple fake identities.
Damoh Superintendent of Police Shrut Kirti Somavanshi told TOI that the investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to uncover the full scope of the suspect’s actions and medical practices.
