The Goa government has suspended a senior surgeon attached to its South District hospital for allegedly issuing medical certificates to policemen on flimsy grounds to avoid important and emergency duties. Senior surgeon Dr Anil Rane has also been accused of giving medical certificates to foreign nationals for granting overstay or extension of stay in India.

Goa health department's under secretary Maria Seomara De Souza on October 12 issued an order suspending Rane. The department has also handed over the matter to the directorate of vigilance for further investigation.The India Reserve Battalion, a wing of Goa Police, had brought to the department's notice that medical certificates of sickness were being issued on flimsy grounds by Rane to various police personnel attached to avoid important and emergency duties.

The preliminary investigation by the health department also revealed that the doctor was issuing medical certificates to foreign nationals for granting overstay or extension of stay in the country.