Doctors Face Inquiry Over Alleged Blood Sample Tampering
Pune: The Maharashtra Medical Commission (MMC) has initiated a suo motu inquiry against two doctors from Sassoon General Hospital over their alleged involvement in tampering with the blood samples of a 17-year-old Porsche driver accused in a fatal hit-and-run case.
MMC officials confirmed that an investigation has been launched against:
- Dr. Ajay Taware – Former head of the forensic medicine department at B J Government Medical College
- Dr. Shrihari Bhimrao Halnor – Former casualty medical officer at Sassoon General Hospital
“We have not received a formal complaint, but given the serious ethical violations, we are conducting an independent probe,” said Dr. Vinky Rughwani, administrator, MMC.
The Porsche Crash Incident
On May 19, 2024, two IT engineers from Madhya Pradesh, Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta (both 24), lost their lives when a speeding Porsche, driven by an inebriated minor, rammed into their motorcycle in Pune’s Yerawada area. The accused minor is the son of a prominent realtor.
Blood Sample Manipulation Allegations
Police investigations revealed that the minor’s blood sample was allegedly swapped with that of his mother at Sassoon Hospital to alter alcohol test results. This tampering was allegedly orchestrated by Dr. Taware and Halnor, in collusion with hospital staff and middlemen.
- The police arrested seven individuals, including the minor’s parents, hospital staff, and middlemen.
- It was alleged that Rs 4 lakh was paid to doctors and hospital staff for the swap.
- Rs 2.5 lakh was recovered from Dr. Halnor, and Rs 50,000 from morgue staff Atul Ghatkamble.
Further Developments
A DNA report (August 9, 2024) confirmed that the blood samples of the minor’s two friends, who were also in the Porsche, had been swapped. This led to the arrest of three more individuals, including the fathers of the minor’s friends.
- The Pune Police have filed a chargesheet against ten accused, including the minor’s parents, doctors, and middlemen.
- A final report against the minor was submitted to the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on June 17, 2024, followed by a supplementary report on September 26, 2024.
MMC’s Next Steps
MMC has received an inquiry committee report from the Pune Commissioner of Police and is awaiting a detailed report from the Medical Education Department before deciding on further disciplinary action against the accused doctors.
