Crores Spent, Equipment ‘Missing’: Probe Ordered into Pune’s Aundh Hospital ICU

Pune, 10th August 2026: A high-level inquiry has been ordered into the alleged disappearance of costly medical equipment from a 50-bed modern intensive care unit (ICU) set up at the Aundh District Hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic at a cost of crores of rupees.

Deputy Director of Health, Pune Circle, Dr Bhagwan Pawar has directed the district surgeon to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report, along with supporting documents and evidence, within seven days. He has warned that any delay in the inquiry would be the responsibility of the district surgeon.

The 300-bed district hospital had an approved 12-bed ICU. However, during the pandemic, the state government provided funds to expand the facility into a 50-bed modern ICU equipped with ventilators, patient monitors, oxygen systems and other costly medical equipment.

The issue came to light after health rights activist Sharat Shetty lodged a complaint on July 27, alleging that most of the equipment installed during the pandemic was now missing and only a few beds in the ICU were operational. The complaint questioned the whereabouts and current use of the remaining equipment and alleged possible misuse of public funds.

Following the complaint, the health department has ordered physical verification of the equipment and an examination of expenditure records related to the ICU. The inquiry will also ascertain whether the equipment was transferred elsewhere and, if so, under whose authority.

Shetty has sought action against officials and employees found responsible for keeping the facility non-functional or misusing public funds. He has also demanded that the department make the expenditure details public, deploy the required manpower and restore the ICU to full capacity.

“The state government had provided funds during the Covid-19 pandemic to establish a 50-bed ICU at Aundh District Hospital. However, the equipment is now reportedly missing. I had written to the chief minister and health authorities seeking an inquiry, following which the deputy director of health ordered the investigation. A fair and impartial inquiry is now necessary,” Shetty said.