SUHRC Terminates Surgeon, Files Complaint for Policy Violation and Ethical Breach
Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Police have booked a senior doctor at Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC) for allegedly demanding money from a patient’s family in exchange for urgent surgery—despite the hospital’s policy of providing free treatment.
The accused, Dr. Pravin Wamanrao Lohote, 55, a resident of Chandan Nagar and full-time faculty member in the Department of Surgery, was terminated from his position after it emerged he had allegedly extorted ₹20,000 from a patient’s relatives, claiming her life was at risk if the procedure wasn’t performed immediately.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at Bavdhan police station, the incident occurred at SUHRC—a charitable hospital run by Symbiosis Society Foundation that provides completely free care in its general wing. The complaint was lodged by Dilip Shivsharan, 38, a resident of Uttam Nagar and a relative of the patient.
Violation of Hospital Ethics and Legal Action Initiated
In a statement, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishal Gaikwad said the police are investigating the case under sections 308 (1) and 308 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to acts endangering life. While no arrests have been made, notices have been issued to Dr. Lohote and others associated with the case.
The hospital administration confirmed that the doctor’s actions violated its strict no-charge policy. “Patients not covered under government health schemes are fully funded by the Symbiosis Society Foundation,” said Dr. Rajiv Yeravdekar, Provost of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
He further stated that Dr. Lohote’s conduct was a gross breach of institutional ethics, and the matter has been reported to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Maharashtra Medical Council for further disciplinary action.
The incident has sparked concern over ethical conduct within charitable medical institutions, even as police continue to probe the extent of the malpractice.
