Indian-origin psychiatrist held for faking credentials

Wellington, Aug 6: An Indian-origin psychiatrist from the US, charged with stealing the credentials of another US-based doctor so that he could work in New Zealand, was arrested and denied bail, a media report said on Thursday. According to New Zealand police, Illinois-based psychiatrist Mohamed Shakeel Siddiqui used the credentials of another psychiatrist Mohammed Shafi Siddiqui. He allegedly used the doctor's references as his own, New Zealand Herald reported. Mohamed Shakeel got a job in New Zealand through a recruitment agency. He was given a year's contract to work as a practising psychiatrist with the Waikato District Health Board -- a public health service provider. Later, Mohamed Shakeel's colleagues became suspicious about his professional behaviour and carried out their own inquiries related to his physician and surgeon's licence (practising certificate) issued by the state of Illinois' department of financial and professional regulation on September 13, 2012. After they found discrepancies, police were informed and Mohamed Shakeel was arrested. Defending his client, Mohamed Shakeel's lawyer told media: "Siddiqui had been performing well, receiving 'exceeds expected standard' in most areas, including clinical knowledge, diagnostic skills, time management, recognising limits, professional knowledge, reliability and professional manner." Mohamed Shakeel appeared in the Hamilton District Court in New Zealand on July 25 and was remanded in custody without plea.