Pune Police Arrest Sassoon Hospital’s Senior Doctor In Lalit Patil’s Escape Case

Mubarak Ansari

Pune, 5th December 2023: In the drug kingpin Lalit Patil escape case, significant developments unfolded as Dr. Praveen Devkate (40), the medical officer of Sassoon Hospital, was arrested by Pune police on Monday night. Earlier, the chief medical officer of Yerwada Central Jail, Dr. Sanjay Marsale, was arrested.

Patil was lodged in the Yerwada Central Jail in a drugs case. He was referred to Sassoon Hospital in June this year for the treatment of TB and hernia. However, he was found operating the drug racket from the hospital. The incident came to light when the Crime Branch seized MD drugs worth Rs two crore near the hospital gate. However, before he could be arrested, Patil managed to escape on October 2. Later, he was arrested from Bengaluru.

A four-member medical committee appointed to investigate the case found Sassoon Hospital Dean Dr. Sanjeev Thakur guilty. The committee’s report revealed that Dr. Thakur assisted Lalit Patil in prolonging his stay at Sassoon Hospital. Furthermore, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Devkate was accused of fabricating a false report on Lalit Patil’s health at the behest of Dr. Thakur.

The Lalit Patil case has now put the spotlight on the Yerwada jail administration. Both the prison counselor and the medical officer are under arrest, with Dr. Sudhakar Ingle and Sanjay Marsale implicated in receiving money. Pune Police Crime Branch arrested both Ingle and Marsale, the latter having been in contact with Lalit two days before his escape. Notably, Dr. Sanjay Marsale played a key role in referring Lalit to Sassoon Hospital, while Dr. Abhishek Balakwade, an associate of Lalit Patil involved in a drug company, had calls traced on Marsale’s mobile phone.

The investigation into the Lalit Patil case at Sassoon Hospital involved questioning 16 individuals, including doctors, nurses, and other staff members. Detailed interrogations and statements were recorded from doctors who treated Lalit Patil during his admission to ward number 16. The inquiry extended to other staff members in the same ward. In the aftermath, senior officials and doctors at Sassoon are likely to face questioning in connection with Lalit Patil’s escape. The investigation has now expanded to include action against the Yerwada Jail administration and senior police officers.