Porsche Case: MMC launches suo moto inquiry against Sassoon Hospital's Forensic Head, CMO

Pune: The former head of the Forensic Medicine department and former Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Pune-based Sassoon General Hospital who were arrested for alleged manipulation of the blood sample of the teen driver in the Porsche car crash case in Pune have come under scanner of the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) as a suo motu inquiry has been initiated against them.  

The doctors are under investigation for violating the code of medical ethics. While no formal complaint has been filed, the MMC has decided to launch the inquiry independently due to the gravity of the incident. Based on the findings of the inquiry, appropriate action will be taken. 

Also read- Porsche Crash Case: Maha Govt Approves Prosecution of Forensic Head, CMO, staff of Sassoon Hospital

Talking to the Indian Express, Dr Vinky Rughwani, administrator, MMC, said, “We have not received an official complaint, but considering the gravity of the incident and violation of the code of medical ethics, we have decided to initiate a suo motu inquiry against Taware and Halnor. Based on the findings of the inquiry, appropriate action will be taken against them." 

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that no action was taken so far against the head of the Forensic Medicine department and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Pune-based Sassoon General Hospital by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) in connection with the alleged manipulation of the blood sample of the teen driver involved in the May 19 Porsche car crash case.

In May 2024, the MMC issued notices to both doctors after taking suo motu cognizance of the matter. In the notice, the council had demanded a written explanation within seven days from the two doctors providing details for their alleged negligence, following which, actions were said to be taken accordingly.

Although the council received responses from the doctors, it was unable to take action against them until it received an official response from the Pune police Commissioner and the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) in the case.'

Meanwhile, the council has now received a response from the Pune police Commissioner. It has already received a copy of the inquiry report from the Commissioner, which details the doctors’ alleged misconduct. However, the MMC is still awaiting the Dr Pallavi Saple committee report, which was commissioned by the Medical Education Department to investigate the matter further.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that two doctors of Sassoon Hospital were arrested for allegedly discarding the blood samples of the 17-year-old boy suspect accused of murdering two software engineers and replacing them with another person's samples.

The two doctors accused of tampering with the blood sample reports include the head of the Forensic Medicine department of Sassoon General Hospital and the chief medical officer of Sassoon Hospital.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the Chief Medical Officer reportedly replaced the blood samples on the direction of the HOD on 19th May at around 11 am. The CMO allegedly threw the blood samples in a dustbin of the hospital and sent the blood samples of another person to the forensic lab. As a result, the report showed no alcohol traces of the accused. Later, the state government suspended them based on the recommendation of the Maharashtra Medical Education Department commissioner.

Also read- Porsche Crash Case: Need official documents to initiate action against Forensic Head, CMO of Sassoon Hospital, says Medical Council