Gadchiroli, Maharashtra: A doctor of Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Gadchiroli was caught red-handed by police while smuggling liquor in a government ambulance, causing a stir within the health department. The doctor, Bramhanand Pungati, is a contractual medical officer at the Pipli Burgi Primary Health Centre in Etapalli tehsil. As per the police, the Halewara police were blocking the Maveli Halewara Pipli Burgi route when an ambulance (MH-33/T-4478) passed by. Initially, the police ignored it, but the driver tried to speed the vehicle away.
Following the police action, ZP CEO Ayushi Singh dismissed the contractual medical officer from his position, which heightened the police’s suspicions. When officers pursued and stopped the ambulance, they discovered 10 boxes of country liquor and 96 bottles of foreign liquor inside.
Dr. Pungati, along with Shashikant Madavi (33), Saurabh Lekami (20), and Bhiwaji Rainu Pada (31), was taken into custody, while Dilip Lekami managed to escape. A case has been filed at Halewara police station, and local and foreign liquor valued at ₹288,060, along with the ambulance, has been seized. PSI Akshay Patil is leading the investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the four accused were presented in Etapalli court, where they were remanded to police custody for two days. Following the incident, ZP CEO Ayushi Singh dismissed the contractual medical officer from his position. To prevent inconvenience to patients, an alternative vehicle has been provided to the Pipli Burgi PHC while the ambulance remains in police custody.