Pune News: Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital’s Dean Walks Out Of Press Meet Amid Allegations Of ₹10 Lakh Deposit Demand In Tanisha Death Case
Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital's Dean Walks Out Of Press Meet Amid Allegations Of ₹10 Lakh Deposit Demand In Tanisha Death Case
April 07, 2025
Pune: A press conference held by Dr. Dhananjay Kelkar, Dean of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, was abruptly ended after a barrage of pointed questions from the media regarding the alleged demand of ₹10 lakh as a deposit for treatment. This amount was reportedly asked from the family of Ishwari (Tanisha) Sushant Bhise by gynecologist Dr. Sushrut Ghaisas, who has since resigned from the hospital.
Dr. Kelkar began the press meet by stating that he would not respond to queries related to the government inquiry committee, and would only address questions directly related to him. He maintained that the hospital does not have a practice of demanding advance deposits, asserting that the hospital only issues estimates under the patient’s name along with the names of the treating doctors.
When asked about the ₹10 lakh allegedly mentioned on the admission form, Dr. Kelkar distanced himself, saying, “We don’t have a system of writing deposit amounts. But on that particular day, something got into Dr. Ghaisas’ head, and he wrote it. No other doctor at our hospital does that. I don’t know why he did it.” He implied that the accountability lies solely with Dr. Ghaisas.
The controversy stems from the tragic death of Tanisha Bhise, who was allegedly denied admission at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital after her family could not pay the demanded ₹10 lakh. She was later admitted to Manipal Hospital, where she passed away. Her family claims the delay in treatment due to the initial denial at Deenanath Hospital was the cause of her death.
Dr. Kelkar revealed that Dr. Ghaisas resigned under pressure, unable to cope with the growing public and media backlash.
During the 25-minute press conference, journalists repeatedly questioned Dr. Kelkar about the hospital’s standard operating procedures, accountability, and future actions against Dr. Ghaisas if found guilty. Frustrated by the repetition and intensity of the questions, Dr. Kelkar left the press meet midway, saying, “You are asking the same questions again and again.”
He concluded by stating that he performs several surgeries daily and has never personally asked any patient for such a deposit. “If someone else did, ask them,” he said. Regarding a phone call from Bhise’s family during surgery, Dr. Kelkar said he assured them that treatment would be provided even if only part of the amount could be paid.
This incident has sparked widespread criticism and calls for stricter accountability in hospital admissions and medical ethics.
