Departmental Inquiry to Run Parallel to Criminal Investigation in Pune Abortion and PCPNDT Cases
The Maharashtra Public Health Department is preparing to initiate a departmental inquiry against a Pune district gynaecologist who was recently arrested in connection with an alleged illegal abortion racket. The proposed inquiry will examine the doctor’s conduct during nearly 25 years of government service, including allegations of professional misconduct and possible violations of government service rules.
According to health department officials, the inquiry will review the doctor’s tenure as a medical officer at the Rural Hospital in Yavat and assess whether any irregularities or malpractice occurred during his service period.
The development comes days after the gynaecologist was arrested by Daund Police on June 7 in connection with an alleged illegal abortion network operating in the region. Authorities have also launched separate criminal investigations into alleged violations of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act and the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.
Voluntary Retirement Request Under Scrutiny
Officials revealed that the doctor had submitted an application for voluntary retirement on June 5, 2025. However, the state government reportedly did not approve the request. Despite the pending status of his retirement application, the doctor allegedly stopped attending duty and subsequently began private medical practice.
The circumstances surrounding his departure from government service are expected to form a key part of the departmental investigation.
Second FIR Registered Against Doctor and Wife
In a parallel development, a second First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the doctor and his wife at the Uruli Kanchan Police Station on June 11. The case pertains to alleged violations of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act at their private hospital.
Earlier, Pune Rural Police had also registered a separate FIR against the couple for alleged violations of the PCPNDT Act at their healthcare facility in Uruli Kanchan. The legal action followed investigations into suspected unlawful medical practices and alleged sex-selection-related violations.
State Government Likely to Form Inquiry Committee
Speaking on the matter, Pune District Civil Surgeon Dr. Nagnath Yempalle stated that the district health administration will recommend a formal departmental inquiry to the Maharashtra Government. Once approved, a committee will be constituted to scrutinize the doctor’s service record and determine whether any professional misconduct or breaches of service regulations took place during his tenure in the public health system.
Criminal and Departmental Proceedings to Continue Separately
Health officials clarified that the proposed departmental inquiry will be independent of the ongoing criminal investigations being conducted by Daund Police and Uruli Kanchan Police. While law enforcement agencies continue to investigate allegations linked to illegal abortions and statutory violations, the departmental probe will focus exclusively on the doctor’s conduct as a government employee.
The case has drawn significant attention across Maharashtra’s healthcare sector, with authorities intensifying scrutiny of alleged violations related to abortion laws, prenatal diagnostic regulations, and public service conduct.
