Well-known psychiatrist and crusader of drug rehabilitation in India Dr Yusuf Merchant, popularly known as ‘doc’ by his patients and friends, passed away due to cardiac arrest at Bombay Hospital on Thursday night. He was a 66-year-old cancer survivor.

A close family friend, Advocate Shabnam Latiwala, said, “On Thursday evening around 8.00 pm, Dr Merchant complained of restlessness and breathing difficulties. His wife Sanna, rushed him to Bombay hospital, where he was admitted. He was talking, but suddenly he started sinking. The doctors and medical team tried to revive him by giving Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for nearly half an hour, but could not succeed.”