Ajit Pawar on Pune Hospital Row: ‘Strict Action Will Be Taken Against Those Found Guilty’

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar has urged citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the administration as protests continue over the death of a pregnant woman, allegedly due to treatment denial at Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital. “The government has taken serious note of the unfortunate incident of the death of Mrs. Tanisha Bhise due to lack of urgent treatment at Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. The Health Department has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter through a committee comprising expert doctors. I myself have instructed the District Magistrate to complete this investigation urgently, transparently and impartially. Although the hospital administration has expressed its views, appropriate action will be taken after considering all the relevant factors. The government has understood the sentiments of the individuals, institutions and organizations protesting in this matter and strict action will be taken as per the law against those found guilty as per the findings of the investigation. All citizens are requested to exercise restraint and cooperate with the administration,” Ajit Pawar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

पुणे येथील दीनानाथ मंगेशकर रुग्णालयात तातडीनं उपचार न मिळाल्यानं श्रीमती तनिषा भिसे या भगिनीचा मृत्यू झाल्याच्या दुर्दैवी घटनेची गंभीर दखल शासनानं घेतली आहे. आरोग्य विभागानं तज्ज्ञ डॉक्टरांचा सहभाग असलेल्या समितीमार्फत या प्रकरणाची सखोल चौकशी करण्याचे आदेश दिले आहेत. मी स्वतः…

— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) April 4, 2025

Read Also | Pune: BJP MLC’s PA’s Pregnant Wife Dies After Hospital Allegedly Refuses Admission Over Rs 10 Lakh Deposit 

Protests outside the hospital have intensified as opposition parties and various organizations demanding strict action against the hospital authorities. Demonstrators have called for the suspension of officials and legal action against those responsible.

What Happened?

Tanisha Bhise was rushed to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital after experiencing labor pains. Her family alleges that the hospital demanded ₹10 lakh before beginning treatment. The total estimated cost was reportedly ₹20 lakh.

Her family initially offered ₹3 lakh upfront and assured the hospital they would arrange the rest. Despite this, hospital staff allegedly refused to admit her and suggested transferring her to Sassoon Hospital if they could not afford the charges.

On March 29, Tanisha Bhise died due to lack of treatment. 

Her family claims the delay cost her life. Bhise was the wife of Sushant Bhise, personal assistant to BJP MLC Amit Gorakhe. 

Read Also | Pune: Protests Erupt Outside Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital Over Pregnant Woman’s Death (Watch Video)

Political Reactions

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare criticised the hospital, saying Tanisha Bhise might have survived if the administration had shown humanitarian consideration. BJP MLC Chitra Wagh called for strict action, including revoking the licenses of doctors or hospitals found guilty. “If this is how they treat someone close to a legislator, one can only imagine what ordinary patients go through,” she said.

भाजपच्या बूथप्रमुखाची स्थानिक गुंडाकडुन क्रूर हत्या होते, सत्ताधारी आमदाराच्या स्वीय सहायकाची पत्नी हाॅस्पिटल प्रशासनाच्या मुजोरपणामुळे जिवानीशी जाते.
..आणि मोदी भक्तुल्ले उद्द्युक्त कशाने होतात तर अब्दूल & वक्फ बोर्डाची कशी जिरवली ह्या भ्रामक कल्पनेने.. #यहापेहमारामकानथोडीहै.. pic.twitter.com/NXDCleoenx

— SushmaTai Andhare (@andharesushama) April 3, 2025

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule demanded a law ensuring no mother is denied treatment during pregnancy. “The government must take this matter seriously and conduct a thorough investigation. Hospitals should not deny urgent medical care to patients over financial issues,” she said.

पुणे शहरातील रुग्णालयांत अद्ययावत सुविधा आहेत. परंतु जर पैशाअभावी त्या नाकारल्या जात असतील ही अतिशय गंभीर बाब आहे. पुण्यात एका नामांकित रुग्णालयाने एका सात महिन्यांच्या गरोदर महिलेला प्रचंड रक्तस्त्राव होत असतानाही केवळ पैशांअभावी उपचार नाकारल्याचा आरोप तिच्या नातेवाईकांनी केला… https://t.co/BmsOuSWAvf

— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) April 3, 2025

Other political leaders, including NCP (SP) MP Amol Kolhe and state party president Jayant Patil, also called for action against the hospital.

सात महिन्यांची गरोदर असलेली एक भगिनी प्रचंड रक्तस्त्रावात वेदनांमध्ये विव्हळत होती. अशा वेळी पुण्यातील एका नामांकित रुग्णालयाने १० लाख भरले नाही म्हणून त्या भगिनीला मृत्यूच्या दाढेत ढकललं... ही घटना समाज म्हणून अक्षरशः लज्जास्पद, माणुसकीला काळीमा फासणारी, व्यवस्था म्हणून आपला…

— Dr.Amol Kolhe (@kolhe_amol) April 3, 2025

धर्मादाय आयुक्तांतर्गत येणाऱ्या पुण्यातील रुग्णालयात सात महिन्यांच्या गरोदर महिलेचा उपचाराअभावी दुर्दैवी मृत्यू झाला ही अतिशय धक्कादायक घटना आहे. मंत्रालयातून फोन गेला तरी उपचार केला गेला नाही म्हंटल्यावर काय म्हणायचे? गरीब, सामान्य रुग्णांचे हे काय ऐकतील? यातून राज्याच्या आरोग्य…— Jayant Patil- जयंत पाटील (@Jayant_R_Patil) April 4, 2025