Authorities in hepatitis-hit Sabarakantha district, where the liver disease has claimed 48 lives so far, have filed cases against doctors and scrap dealers after investigations revealed that the physicians sold used syringes and medical waste, police said on Thursday.

Medical waste, including used syringes, has to be disposed of, according to the Bio-Medical Waste (management and handling) Rules 1998. But when the Sabarkantha Food and Drugs department raided the premises of the scrap dealers on Wednesday, they found used syringes, needles and medical waste in large quantity. The scrap dealers claimed that some doctors had sold them the fake syringes.

All have been booked under Section 269 of the Negligent Act (likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 278 (making atmosphere noxious to health) of the Indian Penal Code, they said. The hepatitis outbreak in Sabarkantha has claimed 48 lives till now.