Pune: Sassoon Hospital Staff Arrested in Lalit Patil Drug Case

Pune, 28th November 2023: The Crime Branch of the Pune city police has apprehended a staff member of the state government-run Sassoon Hospital in connection with the Lalit Patil drug case.

The arrested individual is identified as Mahendra Shevate, a ward boy who assisted prisoner patients and is allegedly involved in the drugs racket.

The case came to light when MD drugs worth over Rs 2 crore were seized by the Pune Crime Branch outside the hospital gate. Lalit Patil, the alleged kingpin of the racket, was admitted to the hospital. He had been arrested in a separate case and was transferred from Yerwada Central Jail to the hospital for hernia treatment.

According to the Crime Branch, Patil operated the network from the hospital, with Shevate playing a crucial role in the racket.

So far, 15 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.