A physiotherapist who was convicted of drunk driving and subsequently suspended from practicing in the United Kingdom has established a new clinic in India, asserting that drink-driving offenses are treated with less severity in his home country.
Bijoy Bridewin Thomas, 45, was found guilty in March 2024 of driving more than three times the legal alcohol limit, with authorities noting his vehicle was "swerving all over the road." He also pleaded guilty to driving without a license or insurance. As a result, he received a ban from driving for two years and two months, a community order, and was ordered to pay costs.
During proceedings before the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS), Thomas reportedly told the panel that in India, "drink-driving is not taken as seriously as it is in the UK," and that he "did not think that drink-driving was that serious." He indicated that driving while intoxicated is "not taken seriously in India" and that he didn't consider it a criminal offense.
Thomas, who previously operated Reliefsake Physiosolutions in Stoke-on-Trent before its dissolution in November, also stated that driving without a license or insurance is considered a serious offense in India. The HCPTS noted that while Thomas expressed some remorse, he did not appear to fully grasp the potential severity of his actions, concluding that his conduct was "deliberate, reckless and negligent."
The tribunal service found Thomas's fitness to practice was impaired and suspended him for 12 months, a decision that prevents him from practicing physiotherapy in the UK during that period. The HCPTS deemed a permanent striking off disproportionate, while also acknowledging personal and business stresses Thomas faced at the time, including financial issues and a disturbing patient incident.
Despite the UK suspension, Thomas has continued his physiotherapy career in India. In January, shortly after dissolving his UK-based business, he founded Physiotherapy Yaanam. His new venture aims to address challenges in the physiotherapy industry through strategy, quality analysis, mentoring, and practice development. Online, Thomas describes himself as dedicated to "elevating the profession" and fostering critical thinking among clinicians.
Thomas, an Indian national, had been practicing in India since 2007 before working in a registered role in the UK for three months prior to the incident. He claims to mentor students and professionals in India and utilizes AI-generated content in his online presence, often featuring messages about "goodness" and ancient Indian medical scholars.