HC unhappy with probe in case against Saibaba hospital doctors

Expressing displeasure over the progress in investigation, the Bombay High Court has asked the investigating police officer to appear on July 13 in a case filed against two doctors of Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan hospital for alleged malpractices.
The high court, hearing a petition, warned yesterday that if the investigating officer does not respond to inform the progress of probe done so far, then on the next occasion it would consider initiating contempt proceedings against him.
"This court will consider on the next date of hearing for need to proceed against the investigating officer under the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act for not extending cooperation in deciding matters, which in my opinion, amounts to interference in process of administration of justice," said Justice N W Sambre of the Aurangabad bench of the high court.

Meanwhile, the court continued till July 13 the interim protection from arrest granted earlier to the two doctors namely Harish Bajaj and Gaurav Verma.
"Prima facie, this court finds that the investigating officer is not cooperating in deciding the present application. In my opinion, it will be appropriate to direct the investigating officer to attend this court, with complete instructions and entire record, on July, 13 2016, at 2.30 PM," said the judge.
Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan had filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court on a PIL filed by activist Sanjay Kale saying disciplinary inquiry is being conducted against two doctors of its hospital for alleged malpractices.

The affidavit was filed recently on a PIL alleging malpractices committed by doctors and demanding action against them. The trust had also assured that if found guilty, civil and criminal action would be taken against the doctors.

In the affidavit, Sansthan's Chief Executive Officer
Bajirao Shinde, in response to the allegations, said it had come to the notice of authorities that both the doctors were allegedly following unlawful practise of taking bribe in the form of commission from Heart Beat Pvt Ltd.
"Both the doctors had allegedly acted contrary to the decision of the Sansthan taken in a meeting held on April 17, 2013, for financial gains," the affidavit alleged.

The Maharashtra government also said in an affidavit that on November 27 last year, the Deputy CEO of Sansthan had informed Shirdi police station that on departmental inquiry, prima facie it was found that both the doctors had committed misconduct, misappropriation and medical negligence.
Later, the Sansthan filed FIR in this case in Shirdi police station which began an inquiry.