Fri Apr 04 22:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Pune Hospital Faces Backlash After Pregnant Woman’s Death

**PUNE, MAHARASHTRA –** A pregnant woman’s death at a Pune hospital has sparked outrage and protests, leading to a high-level inquiry and calls for stricter regulations. Tanisha Bhise, seven months pregnant with twins, died on March 31st after allegedly being denied emergency treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital due to a refusal to pay a ₹20 lakh advance payment.

Bhise’s family claims the hospital demanded ₹5 lakh upfront before admitting her, despite her already agreeing to pay a partial amount and the remainder in installments. After being turned away, she was transferred to another hospital, where she delivered twin girls but later succumbed to multi-organ failure.

Following the death, social activists and workers from various political parties, including the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Congress, staged demonstrations, accusing the hospital of negligence and demanding charges of culpable homicide against the doctors and the institution. The hospital’s internal inquiry report acknowledged a high quoted fee (₹10-20 lakh) due to the high-risk twin pregnancy and potential NICU stay, but also cited missed antenatal checkups and a misleading complaint from the family.

Pune Police have submitted statements to the District Medical Council, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a high-level inquiry headed by the Pune-based Joint Commissioner of Charity. The inquiry will also examine the hospital’s adherence to the Charity Patient Scheme and the availability of Indigent Patients Fund (IPF) information on the Charity Commissioner’s website. The Chief Minister described the incident as “unfortunate” and “insensitive,” emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of medical ethics. Further investigations are underway by the Pune district collector and the health department. Prominent political figures, including NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule, have also called for a thorough investigation and stronger guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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