Pune: Yerawada Mental Hospital Superintendent Accused Of Rs 1.25 Crore Financial Irregularities; Investigation Underway
Yerawada, 15th March 2025: A State Health Department inquiry committee has found financial irregularities amounting to ₹1.25 crore at the Regional Mental Hospital in Yerawada, Pune. The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr. Sunil Patil, along with other officials, has been accused of misusing government funds and inflating payments. The committee has recommended recovering the misappropriated amount from the involved officials.
A five-member inquiry team, led by Assistant Director Dr. Prashant Wadikar, was appointed to investigate the financial mismanagement at the hospital. The committee submitted its report to Deputy Director of Health Services Dr. Radhakishan Pawar, holding Dr. Patil responsible for financial discrepancies since 2017. It also recommended recovering the amount from administrative officers, office superintendents, and clerks involved in the misappropriation.
Major Allegations in the Inquiry Report:
– Irregularities in Sanitation Contracts: The hospital had outsourced sanitation services to a private company, but payments were allegedly made without verifying the work. The company failed to provide a satisfactory explanation when questioned.
– Solar Water Heating System Fraud: The procurement process for the solar heating system lacked proper administrative approvals, leading to a ₹73 lakh loss. The contractor reportedly used electric heaters instead, increasing operational costs. This failure forced patients to bathe in cold water during winter and monsoon, violating their basic human rights.
– Rehabilitation Center Mismanagement: The report highlights that 18 mentally ill patients died after being transferred to private rehabilitation centers, raising serious concerns about patient safety.
– Procurement Irregularities: Anomalies worth ₹8 to ₹10 lakh were found in purchases made for the hospital’s “Center for Excellence” program.
– Misuse of De-addiction Center Funds: A sum of ₹11 lakh from the de-addiction program was allegedly misused.
– Poor Patient Care: The report states that patients were given diluted milk and their clothing purchases were mismanaged, suggesting further financial irregularities.
Dr. Pawar confirmed that disciplinary action will be taken against junior employees at his level, while action against higher officials will be recommended to the state health ministry.
