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In a bizarre and tragic turn of events, 31-year-old computer science engineer Vikas Hagawane of Pune has been arrested on charges of pulling off thefts at some of India's top hospitals. Once a technology professional, Hagawane's life took a dark turn when he faced a substantial medical bill for his COVID-19 treatment in 2021, amounting to approximately ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh.
As per Delhi Police, Hagawane, frustrated at being unable to afford hospital bills and incensed with frequent denial of his concession requests, nurtured a strong grievance against private hospitals. This anger ultimately made him stage targeted robberies at national and international multi-specialty hospitals like those in Pune, Mumbai, Jaipur, Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram.
Caught After a String of Heists at Elite Hospitals
The breakthrough in the case came when Hagawane attempted to steal from the oncology department of Apollo Hospital in Sarita Vihar, Delhi on April 10. The police launched an extensive investigation, scanning footage from over 400 CCTV cameras before tracking him down at a hotel in Paharganj. He was arrested on April 14, just six days after arriving in Delhi.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Ravi Kumar Singh revealed that the accused used brainy tactics to stay low profile. He deliberately avoided using SIM cards and worked solely on hotel Wi-Fi connections. His modus operandi was planned: he would enter hospitals as a visitor during peak hours, sneak into unmanned OPDs and staff rooms, and steal valuable items such as laptops, smartphones, iPods, jewelry, and branded accessories.
To evade detection, he deliberately avoided using SIM cards, instead operating a mobile phone connected only to hotel Wi-Fi. He would search prominent hospitals, map the layout of the buildings, and identify spots unattended by doctors. During peak working hours, he would pose as a visitor, enter vacant OPDs or staff rooms, and steal high-value items, such as laptops, mobile phones, cash, and accessories.
Ravi Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast)
Targeted High-Profile Hospitals Across Multiple Cities
Before his arrest in Delhi, Hagawane had committed thefts at Manipal Hospital in Dwarka, Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, and Max Super Specialty Hospital in Noida. He had in his possession four high-end laptops, a phone, an Apple iPod, and branded sunglasses. Officials also found a bogus bill book that had probably been used to prepare forged invoices to dispose of the stolen items.
We found that this person was staying at a hotel in Paharganj. Based on technical surveillance and manual intelligence, the accused was caught at the hotel.
Ravi Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast)
Trail of Crimes and Ongoing Investigations
Investigations suggest that this was perhaps not the first time he committed a crime. He had reportedly spent three weeks in Jaipur, striking at several hospitals before heading to Delhi. He has already been connected to six hospital burglary cases in Mumbai and Pune, and the police are now coordinating with the Jaipur police to identify the scope of his operations.
We found he (previously) committed thefts at Manipal Hospital in Dwarka, Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj and Max Super Specialty Hospital in Noida. We recovered four expensive laptops, a mobile phone, branded sunglasses and an Apple iPod from his possession.
Ravi Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast)
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)
