About
39 years in medicine and law
About
A physician and legal scholar who made history at the NCDRC
Dr. S.M. Kantikar is a prominent medical professional and legal figure in India. He made history as the first medical doctor appointed as a Member (Judge) of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), New Delhi.
The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, appointed him to this apex consumer body in 2013. He holds an MD in Pathology and has over 39 years of experience in the field, including tenure at the Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences.
As a legal scholar, he bridged the gap between medicine and law by obtaining a PhD in Law from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore.
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Key career details
Tenure at the NCDRC
Member and Presiding Member of the NCDRC for over a decade, from March 2013 to June 2023.
Judicial contribution
Through his benches he adjudicated over 9,000 consumer disputes spanning insurance, banking, housing, and e-commerce. He authored approximately 1,000 judgments, primarily resolving complex cases of medical negligence and health insurance claims, many of which were subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of India.
Medical background
Before moving to the adjudication of consumer affairs, he practised as a Consultant Pathologist in Shimoga (Shivamogga) and worked as an Associate Professor in Pathology at the Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences.
Current status
Following his tenure at the NCDRC in mid-2023, he acts as Chairperson of Kantikar MediLaw, working as a medical negligence law consultant and advising on preventive litigation, record keeping, and doctor-patient relationships. He is also a frequent keynote speaker at academic institutions and legal webcasts.
In recognition of his contributions to consumer law and medicine, he was honoured with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2021, the second-highest civilian honour of the Government of Karnataka.
Qualifications
Education and credentials
- MBBS (1984), Dr. V.M. Government Medical College, Solapur
- MD Pathology (1987), Dr. V.M. Government Medical College, Solapur
- LLB (2000), CBR National Law College, Shimoga
- PhD in Law (2017), National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
- First medical doctor appointed Member (Judge), NCDRC
- Member and Presiding Member, NCDRC, March 2013 to June 2023
- Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, 2021
He has been a resource person for medical law at IIM Ahmedabad, the National Judicial Academy (Bhopal), IIT Kanpur, NLUs at Bhopal, Nagpur, and Ranchi, and the Indian Institute of Public Administration (New Delhi). He has addressed numerous national and state medico-legal conferences.
Offices
Four offices, consultations across India
Offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Shivamogga for physical consultation. Consultations are also available across India online (virtual), by prior appointment.
Delhi
A-1/304, 2nd Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi - 110 029
Mumbai
8, Jamshedji & Co, 3rd Floor, 11/3 Botwala Bldg., Horniman Circle, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001
Bangalore
No. 45, 4th Floor, SNS Plaza, Shivanand Circle, Bangalore - 560 001
Shivamogga
No 1, 100ft Road, Opp. Nirmala Hospital, Rajendra Nagar, Shivamogga - 577 201
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Dr. S.M. Kantikar, Former Member, NCDRC. MBBS, MD (Path), LLB, PhD Law.
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