Pune, Maharashtra: Tension escalated at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital in Hadapsar on Wednesday morning after the death of a 77-year-old patient. His relatives, overwhelmed by grief and anger, vandalised the hospital and pelted stones at its glass facade. Police have booked seven people and detained four as they work to establish the exact sequence of events.
The incident took place around 11 a.m. on December 10 when more than ten grieving family members reacted to the patient’s passing. Witnesses said they hurled stones at the entrance, shattered window panes and used metal barricade stands to break the glass. Panic spread briefly among hospital staff and other patients, although no injuries were reported.
Hospital administrators quickly alerted the Hadapsar Police Station. Officers arrived and brought the situation under control, preventing the crowd from causing further damage. Photos and videos circulating locally showed broken glass scattered across the hospital’s entry area, reflecting the intensity of the outburst.
Inspector Sanjay Mogle confirmed that police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with provisions of the Healthcare Personnel and Healthcare Institutions Prohibition of Violence Act 2023. Seven individuals have been named and four have been detained for questioning.
According to the police, emotional stress and frustration led the relatives to react impulsively soon after the patient was declared dead. Investigators are examining statements from the family, hospital staff and security personnel to understand what fueled the confrontation.
Hospital officials shared details about the patient’s condition to provide clarity. The 77-year-old man had first received treatment at a private nursing home in Hadapsar for acute pancreatitis. When his condition worsened due to an internal perforation, his family brought him to Sahyadri Hospital on November 28 for advanced care.
Dr Sunil Rao, the Chief Operating Officer of Sahyadri Hospitals, stated that the surgical team repaired the perforation successfully. Specialists from critical care and the intensive care unit monitored him closely. The hospital said they kept the family informed about his fragile condition and the possible risks involved in his recovery.
Despite continuous medical support, his health deteriorated in the early hours of December 10 and he passed away later that morning.
Family members expressed that they felt unheard and believed the treatment was not adequate. Their grief quickly turned into agitation, resulting in the vandalism. The hospital has condemned the violence and stated that while they understand the family’s pain, damaging healthcare property puts other patients and staff at risk.
The administration has assured full cooperation with the police investigation. The staff emphasised that they remain committed to transparent communication with families, especially during difficult and emotionally heavy cases.
(Rh/ARC)
