KANPUR, May 17 -- A dentist operating a private skin and hair clinic in Kanpur is under police investigation after two engineers died following hair transplant procedures carried out by her and team at her facility. Dr Anushka Tiwari, who holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, but is not licensed to perform such surgeries, is currently absconding. An FIR has been registered, and a wider probe is underway as more complaints begin to surface. The first fatality occurred on March 15, when Vineet Dubey, 39, an assistant engineer with the Panki power plant, died following a procedure at the Empire Clinic in Rawatpur. He reportedly developed severe facial swelling shortly after the transplant. Despite medical intervention, he died the same day during treatment at a private hospital. The police lodged an FIR 56 days after his death, following a complaint filed by Dubey's wife, Jaya, on the chief minister's complaint portal. "I was in Gonda with my children when I received a call from Dr Tiwari on March 14, informing me that Vineet had been hospitalised. On reaching the hospital in Kanpur, I found his face completely swollen and he was writhing in pain. He told me he had undergone a hair transplant on March 13 at Dr Tiwari's clinic to surprise me on my return. But his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he did not survive for even 24 hours," said Jaya Dubey. According to Jaya, her husband repeatedly contacted Tiwari to report his worsening condition. She alleged that Tiwari took him to the hospital, but fled soon after his admission. "I have call recordings and medical prescriptions related to the procedure," she added. Vineet Dubey had completed his PhD from Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) just a day before the transplant. "I approached the police several times, but my complaint was ignored. Action was taken only after I escalated the matter through the CM portal. She killed my husband," Jaya alleged. A second case surfaced this week involving Mayank Katiyar, a 32-year-old software engineer from Farrukhabad. He also underwent a hair transplant at the same clinic on November 18, 2024. His mother, Pramodini Katiyar, said he returned home with facial swelling and intense pain. Mayank's condition worsened overnight, and he died the following day. His mother has submitted a formal complaint to the Kanpur police, alleging negligence and illegal medical practice by Dr Tiwari. "His face ballooned overnight and his head turned hard as stone. He kept pleading with me to save him. He was the sole breadwinner of our family. I am devastated," said Pramodini Katiyar. Deputy commissioner of police (Kanpur West) Dinesh Tripathi confirmed that Dr Tiwari and her husband Dr Saurabh Tripathi -also a BDS holder - were operating the clinic without the qualifications required for advanced cosmetic procedures. "We have received information that they had hired untrained individuals to carry out the transplants. Raids are underway to arrest the accused," he said. Dr. Tiwari has been charged with culpable homicide. Investigators believe that the unusually low rates charged for the transplants - between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 compared to the standard Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh - may have lured unsuspecting patients. Meanwhile, three similar complaints have been lodged by Jeet Katiyar from Kannauj, Rajendra Pathak and Vikram (who goes by one name) from Achalganj, Unnao. Pathak said he and his friend Vikram underwent the procedure in August 2024. "Soon after, our faces swelled and we developed infections on the scalp. I have partially recovered, but Vikram remains bedridden," he said, adding that they each paid Rs.40,000 for the treatment. Dr Haridutt Nemi, chief medical officer of Kanpur, confirmed that a viscera sample had been preserved and sent for forensic examination in Vineet Dubey's case, as the exact cause of death could not be established through the initial post-mortem examin- ation. "The report is awaited. Further action will be based on the medical evidence," he said. Medical experts have raised concerns about the growing trend of unqualified individuals performing cosmetic procedures. Dr DP Shivhare, a dermatologist at GSVM Medical College, noted that while such fatalities are rare, they are possible when standard medical protocols are ignored. "Severe swelling can result from allergic reactions or infections. A complete medical history, allergy testing, and proper antibiotic cover are essential in such surgeries," he said. As the search for Dr Anushka Tiwari continues, authorities are urging the public to seek cosmetic procedures only from certified and qualified specialists. The incident has brought renewed attention to the loosely regulated and increasingly booming cosmetic treatment industry in Tier-2 cities....