White Collar Crime In Special Reference To Medical Practices: An Analytical Study

Kartik Jain, Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University Dehradun

Hadiya Khan, Assistant Professor, Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University Dehradun

Introduction

The term "white-collar crime" describes non-violent crimes carried out for financial advantage in a professional or corporate context by individuals or groups. In contrast to crimes on the street, which are frequently linked to physical harm or violence, crimes in the white-collar sector usually entail deception, fraud or information manipulation in order to obtain illegal financial gains. People in positions of trust, authority or responsibility—such as executives, professionals, or government officials—frequently commit these crimes.

In the context of the medical sector, white-collar crime takes on a distinct form, encompassing a range of fraudulent activities perpetrated by healthcare professionals for monetary gain. These crimes may include issuing false medical certificates, unnecessary billing, prescribing unnecessary treatments or medications and engaging in illegal practices such as quackery or organ trafficking. While these offenses may not involve physical harm to individuals, they can have serious consequences for patients' health and well-being. White-collar crimes in the medical sector undermine the integrity of the healthcare system and erode public trust in medical professionals. Patients rely on doctors and healthcare providers to act in their best interests, but when these professionals prioritize financial gain over patient care, it leads to a breach of trust and ethical misconduct. Moreover, the financial implications of these crimes can be significant, leading to inflated healthcare costs and financial hardship for patients and insurance providers alike1.