Indian-Origin Gynecologist Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Found Guilty in Shocking Medical Malpractice Case

In a landmark verdict that has sent shockwaves through the U.S. medical community, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar—an Indian-origin gynecologic oncologist based in Memphis, Tennessee—has been found guilty on multiple federal counts of medical malpractice, healthcare fraud, and device adulteration. The case, which spanned years of investigation, centers on allegations that Dr. Kumar repeatedly used single-use medical devices on thousands of vulnerable patients without proper reprocessing, then billed Medicare and Medicaid for millions of dollars in unnecessary procedures .

While Dr. Kumar maintains his innocence—claiming his disinfection protocols were “scientifically sound”—a federal jury rejected his defense, concluding that his actions endangered patient health and violated both ethical standards and federal law. The Dr Sanjeev Kumar malpractice case now stands as one of the most severe instances of systemic medical misconduct in recent U.S. history.

The ‘Dr Sanjeev Kumar Malpractice’ Case: What Happened?
Charges and Conviction Details
How Single-Use Devices Were Misused
Financial Fraud: Billing Medicare for Unnecessary Procedures
Dr. Kumar’s Defense—and Why It Failed
Implications for Patient Safety and Medical Oversight
What Patients Should Do If Treated by Dr. Kumar
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Healthcare Accountability
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The ‘Dr Sanjeev Kumar Malpractice’ Case: What Happened?

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar operated a private gynecologic oncology practice in Memphis for over a decade, specializing in treatments for cervical and uterine cancers. Prosecutors allege that between 2015 and 2023, he routinely performed diagnostic and surgical procedures using single-use medical devices—such as speculums, biopsy forceps, and hysteroscopes—on multiple patients without following FDA-approved reprocessing guidelines .

Instead of discarding these devices after one use—as mandated by manufacturers and federal regulations—Dr. Kumar allegedly cleaned them with basic hospital-grade disinfectants, which are insufficient to eliminate high-risk pathogens like hepatitis B, HIV, or HPV. This practice, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ), exposed thousands of women to serious infection risks.

Charges and Conviction Details

Following a two-week trial, a federal jury convicted Dr. Kumar on:

12 counts of healthcare fraud (for billing government programs for medically unnecessary services),
8 counts of adulteration of medical devices (violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act),
4 counts of making false statements to federal investigators.

He faces up to 20 years in prison per fraud count and significant fines. Sentencing is scheduled for March 2026 .

How Single-Use Devices Were Misused

Single-use medical devices are engineered for one-time application due to their complex internal channels, which cannot be reliably sterilized using standard hospital methods. The FDA explicitly prohibits their reuse unless a third-party reprocessor meets stringent validation criteria—which Dr. Kumar’s clinic did not .

Investigators found logs showing the same device serial numbers used across dozens of patient visits. Internal emails revealed staff concerns about “running out of kits,” to which Dr. Kumar allegedly replied, “Just clean them well—they’re fine.”

Financial Fraud: Billing Medicare for Unnecessary Procedures

Beyond patient safety, prosecutors highlighted a profit motive. Dr. Kumar billed Medicare and Medicaid over $4.2 million for procedures deemed medically unnecessary by expert witnesses. In many cases, patients received repeated biopsies or scope exams without clinical justification—purely to generate revenue.

This dual violation—endangering lives while defrauding public health programs—made the case a top priority for the DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Unit.

Dr. Kumar’s Defense—and Why It Failed

Dr. Kumar argued that his disinfection method—using glutaraldehyde solution and ultrasonic cleaning—was “more than adequate” and based on “peer-reviewed science.” He claimed cost pressures and supply shortages forced pragmatic decisions.

However, FDA experts testified that no amount of surface cleaning can guarantee sterility for devices not designed for reuse. Furthermore, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reaffirmed that single-use devices must never be reused under any circumstances . The jury found his justifications unconvincing and dangerous.

Implications for Patient Safety and Medical Oversight

This case exposes critical gaps in outpatient clinic oversight. Unlike hospitals, private practices face minimal routine inspections. Experts warn that without stronger regulatory enforcement, similar abuses could go undetected.

The CDC recommends that any patient treated with improperly reprocessed instruments get tested for bloodborne pathogens. For guidance on medical device safety, see the FDA’s official guidelines on single-use device reprocessing .

What Patients Should Do If Treated by Dr. Kumar

If you or a loved one received care from Dr. Kumar’s Memphis clinic between 2015–2023:

Contact the Tennessee Department of Health’s patient hotline: 1-800-XXX-XXXX.
Request free, confidential testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
Preserve all medical records and billing statements for potential legal claims.
Monitor for symptoms like unexplained fever, pelvic pain, or abnormal discharge.

A class-action lawsuit is already being prepared by affected patients.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Healthcare Accountability

The Dr Sanjeev Kumar malpractice conviction is more than a legal outcome—it’s a stark reminder that trust in medicine must be backed by rigorous accountability. While the vast majority of physicians uphold the highest standards, this case underscores the need for better monitoring of private practices, stricter penalties for fraud, and greater transparency for patients. As the healthcare system evolves, safeguarding the vulnerable must remain non-negotiable.