London:
An Indian-origin consultant surgeon in the UK is being investigated for the deaths of at least three patients under his care.
Sudip Sarker, a consultant surgeon at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, is under the lens after West Mercia Police received a letter in December last year raising concerns about him.
The police said the deaths of three patients, whose joint inquest was adjourned last year, formed part of the inquiry, the BBC reported.
Sarker, 44, worked at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch in northeast Worcestershire from August 2011 but was suspended in October 2012.
"We were made aware that there were a number of concerns in relation to the deaths of patients in 2012 who had been under Sarker's care," said Superintendent Kevin Purcell of West Mercia Police.
"We are in the early stages of obtaining the relevant information from hospitals and other health organisations in order to conduct our investigation."
At the time of Sarker's suspension "a number of concerns" had been raised about him, the trust said.
"This is a complex matter which will undoubtedly take a considerable amount of time to investigate thoroughly," Purcell added.
The General Medical Council said it had obtained an interim order restricting where Sarker could practise, but did not stop him from working.
A spokesman said they could not confirm where, or if, he is currently employed.