Maha orders Rs 5.9 crore recovery from 14 Yerawada Mental Hospital officials

Pune: The Regional Mental Hospital (RMH), Yerawada, has come under major scrutiny after Maharashtra Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar ordered the recovery of nearly Rs 5.9 crore from 14 officials over alleged financial irregularities and misappropriation of government funds.

The action follows the findings of a three-member high-level inquiry committee constituted by the state government on February 17, 2026. The committee was set up after a preliminary investigation initiated on January 5, 2025, uncovered serious lapses in financial management and suspected embezzlement at the hospital. So far, three separate committees have examined the matter.

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The latest inquiry, led by Kailas Salunkhe, Deputy Secretary in the Public Health Department, along with Dr. Rajratna Waghmare, Joint Director of Health Services (Leprosy and Tuberculosis), concluded that 14 officials were responsible for financial losses exceeding Rs 5.9 crore between 2017 and 2025.

Those held accountable include 10 Class-I officers, two administrative officers, and other staff members. The officials named in the inquiry include former medical superintendents, administrative officers, dietitians, and clerical staff. Authorities said recovery proceedings have begun. The state government has also directed action against service providers allegedly involved in the irregularities and sought an explanation from the deputy director under whose jurisdiction the hospital functions, reports Hindustan Times. 

The inquiry was launched after health activist Sharad Shetty alleged large-scale corruption and administrative failures at the hospital.

The committee's findings revealed several instances of alleged financial misconduct. Cleaning contractors were reportedly paid despite failing to provide services as per contractual obligations, while labour law violations went unchecked. It also noted that a solar water heating system remained non-functional despite repeated maintenance expenses, leading to unauthorised expenditure of around Rs 73 lakh.

Under the Centre of Excellence project, purchases were allegedly made without following mandatory procedures. The report also flagged that a proposed de-addiction centre was never set up despite receiving funds.

The committee further found that 361 patients had been referred to private rehabilitation centres without following due procedure. The government reportedly paid Rs 12,000 per patient per month to these centres while the hospital continued supplying medicines to the same patients.

Other issues highlighted included the supply of diluted and unpasteurised milk until August 2024, inadequate bedding and linen provisions, and alleged financial irregularities worth Rs 11 lakh in linen procurement. Essential supplies worth Rs 19.57 lakh were also found missing from records.

The committee also flagged alleged violations of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and raised concerns about the welfare, dignity and rights of patients.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Abitkar said, “I have ordered recovery from the officials found responsible in the Regional Mental Hospital. Public money cannot be misused. This sends a clear message that wrongdoing will not be tolerated and strict action will follow wherever irregularities are detected''.

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