This “doctor” donned an apron and a stethoscope around his neck - minus qualification, with a target to steal gullible patients of their valuables.

Police said Saleem alias doctor Saleem alias Munna (37), a resident of White Field Road was caught by the Chikkapete police. Jewels worth Rs 6 lakh were recovered from him.

Posing himself as a doctor, Saleem used to gain entry into the important sections of a hospital and on the pretext of conducting tests, would ask the patients to remove their valuables. Patients used to take out their valuables and hand it over to him. Soon the ‘doctor’ used to immediately vanish from the spot.

During interrogation he revealed that he had cheated patients at the Kanva Diagnostic Medical Centre, Kidwai Hospital, St John Hospital, Bangalore Hospital, Sagar Apollo Hospital, St Philomena Hospital, KIMS Hospital, ESI Hospital and St Marthas Hospital. Police sources said hospital staff could be partners in crime. The arrested was earlier nabbed in 1993-94 for cheating patients in Victoria Hospital, Jayadeva Hospital, Minto Hospital, KC General and Bowring Hospital and was jailed. He was released in 2000 and began his ‘business’ again.

Saleem was inspired by the Bollywood flick Baap Numbari-Beta Dus Numbari which shows the father-son duo indulged in swindling business.