Rs 4 crore fraud at Sassoon Hospital, Case registered against 24

Pune: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has launched an investigation into allegations of fraud at government-run Sassoon General Hospital (SGH), Pune. The alleged fraud involves a sum of Rs 4.18 crore and follows reports of financial irregularities that have sparked concerns regarding the hospital’s management and operations.

On September 14th, a 55-year-old administrative officer at Sassoon Hospital filed a First Information Report (FIR) concerning allegations of fraud. This has highlighted serious concerns about financial irregularities within the hospital’s management.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), significant irregularities were uncovered regarding the hospital's funds, which were allegedly siphoned off and transferred into the bank accounts of 16 government employees and eight private individuals connected to the institution. The complaint highlights that a total of Rs 4,18,62,942 was misappropriated, raising serious concerns about financial oversight within the hospital's administration.

In response to these alarming allegations, the police have booked 23 individuals, including the accountant and cashier of Sassoon Hospital, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust), and 406 (criminal misappropriation of property).

A senior EOW officer stated that they would first study the details of the DDO account before questioning the accountant, the cashier, and other beneficiaries, and then proceeding with legal action.

The FIR stated that the accountant and cashier at Sassoon Hospital allegedly transferred hospital funds illegally into the bank accounts of individuals involved in the case. This misconduct involved diverting funds into 24 private accounts over a six-month period, from July 31, 2023, to January 24, 2024. During an audit, irregularities in financial transactions related to hospital funds were detected, prompting authorities to establish an internal committee in August to investigate the alleged misappropriations. This inquiry ultimately uncovered fraud amounting to approximately Rs 4.18 crore. 

Currently, 16 current and retired employees from Sassoon Hospital and Baramati Medical College are under scrutiny, including the accountant and a female cashier. Authorities suspect that these individuals manipulated financial records to facilitate unauthorized transactions, thereby compromising the integrity of hospital operations.  

According to the Times of India, Dr Eknath Pawar, dean of BJ Medical College (BJMC) and Sassoon Hospital, announced the suspension of 11 employees from BJMC and four from Baramati Medical College for their involvement in the fraud. "These 15 were working at Sassoon hospital when the embezzlement took place. They are an office superintendent, seven clerical staff members, one medical social worker, one ward boy, and five nurses. The suspension orders have been issued by the Medical Education Department pending the completion of the inquiry," he stated.  

In addition to the hospital staff, eight other individuals not associated with the hospital are also under scrutiny for their role in the fraudulent activities. Dr Pawar emphasized the commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that a comprehensive re-audit of the hospital's accounts will take place as part of the investigation process.

Dinesh Waghmare, principal secretary (medical education and drugs), told TOI, ''The suspension orders have been issued by the commissione of medical education and drugs department. Such repeated incidents do damage the reputation of the hospital and it is a sad thing. We have repeatedly taken action against staffers involved in illegal and illicit behaviour.'' 

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