Pune: PMC Issues Show-Cause Notice To Surya Sahyadri Hospital After Family Alleges Treatment Delay Led To Woman’s Death
Pune: PMC Issues Show-Cause Notice To Surya Sahyadri Hospital After Family Alleges Treatment Delay Led To Woman's Death
Pune, July 9, 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a show-cause notice to Surya Sahyadri Hospital in Kasba Peth following the death of a 46-year-old woman whose family has alleged that life-saving treatment was delayed because they were unable to immediately pay the required advance deposit.
The deceased, Sushila Shinde, a vegetable vendor, is survived by her husband and two children. According to her daughter, Pooja Shinde, the family brought Sushila to the hospital at around 3:30 am on July 7 after she complained of severe breathlessness. She had a history of cardiac illness and had undergone a heart valve surgery at the same hospital in 2020.
Pooja alleged that doctors informed the family her mother required immediate admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but insisted on an advance payment of ₹40,000 before proceeding with treatment.
The family said they managed to deposit ₹15,000 initially and were informed that Sushila had been admitted to the ICU. By 7:30 am, they deposited another ₹15,000.
According to the family, by the time treatment was initiated, Sushila’s condition had worsened significantly. She was declared dead at around 10:30 am.
In her statement recorded with the Faraskhana Police, Pooja alleged that the delay in treatment due to financial reasons contributed to her mother’s death.
Under the Patients’ Rights Charter and several Supreme Court rulings, hospitals are required to provide emergency medical care without delaying treatment for advance payment or administrative formalities.
Responding to the allegations, Surya Sahyadri Hospital denied any negligence. In an official statement, the hospital said, “The patient was brought to the Hospital in a critical condition and was immediately attended by the clinical team. Following an initial assessment, the team quickly initiated all necessary investigations and treatment in accordance with the patient’s clinical condition. The relatives were also counseled about the critical condition of the patient and were timely updated, following all the medical protocols. At Surya Sahyadri Hospital, we remain committed to providing timely, high-quality, and better medical care to every patient.”
Following the woman’s death, her body was sent to Sassoon General Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Confirming the civic body’s action, Dr. Suryakant Devkar, Assistant Health Officer of the PMC, said the health department had received a complaint alleging medical negligence.
