A case against an infamous 'quack' doctor and three others was heard in central China on Tuesday to give justice to the death of a college student, the Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the report, Hu Wanlin, also a former convict who claims to be an 'omnipotent doctor' was charged with illegal practice of medicine leading to the death of a 22-year-old college student known with a surname Yun.

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Hu, together with three of his followers namely Tang Mengjun, He Guizhi and Lyu Wei, were accused of illegal practice leading to the teen's death and stood trial on Tuesday at the Luoyang Intermediate People's Court in the province of Henan.

Xinhua reported that the group allegedly steered a group of 12 'patients' to a hotel room in Xin'an County on August 31 last year to participate in a "health program" Hu's group is conducting.

Being a loyal devotee of traditional Chinese cures, the 22-year-old student followed Hu's instructions which led to his death.

Autopsy reports on Yun's remains revealed that he consumed a colorless hydrated sodium sulfate used in the manufacturing of paper and glass called the Glauber's salt.

Such substance, when consumed by a human, has a diuretic and cathartic effect.

Aside from the student, another 'patient' known as Nong lost consciousness immediately after drinking Hu's potion though he was lucky enough to be saved by medics at the Xin'an County People's Hospital.

All four suspects had denied the accusations.

Aside from prison time, Hu's group faces 1.1 million yuan (178,000 US dollars) damage fees for Yun's bereaved family.

In 2001, Hu was sentenced to 15 years in prison for practicing medicine illegally and was later released in 2011 after his punishment term was reduced.

The case is an example of quackery, or fraudulent medical practices. It is also known as 'health fraud' or 'pseudo-medicine.'

Tagsquack, doctor, pseudo-medicine, trial, death, student