Dr. Ajay Taware, head of the state-run Sassoon Hospital’s forensic medicine department, along with chief medical officer Dr. Shrihari Halnor and staff member Atul Ghatkamble, have been arrested for allegedly tampering with blood samples following a fatal accident involving a minor.
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 19, when a speeding Porsche, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old, collided with a motorcycle, killing two IT professionals in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area. The teenager had reportedly visited two pubs prior to the incident, making the blood report a critical piece of evidence for the police.
Investigations revealed that Dr. Taware had multiple phone conversations with Vishal Agarwal, the father of the accused minor, around the time the blood samples were collected. Officials suspect these calls, made via WhatsApp, Facetime, and regular phone calls, were to discuss the illicit exchange of the blood samples. The first call was made at approximately 8:45 am, with a total of 14 calls occurring until 11 am.
The police allege that Taware and his associates discarded the minor’s blood samples, which likely contained traces of alcohol, and replaced them with samples from another individual. During a search of Taware’s home, documents from previous cases under scrutiny were discovered, suggesting a potential pattern of similar misconduct.
Sources indicate that the police are investigating the amount of money that may have been promised or exchanged between the Agarwal family and Dr. Taware. Additionally, staff at Sassoon Hospital have reported to the vigilance committee that Dr. Taware frequently requested them to bring alcohol to the hospital.
A three-member committee is currently investigating the alleged manipulation of the blood samples, examining the casualty department, and reviewing the procedures for blood sample collection, preservation, and dispatch to the forensic science laboratory.
In related legal proceedings, Judicial Magistrate First Class A.A. Pande has remanded Vishal Agarwal in police custody until May 31. Agarwal and his father, Surendra Agarwal, are accused of coercing the family’s driver to take the blame for the accident to protect the minor. Surendra Agarwal, already under arrest for allegedly kidnapping and illegally confining the driver, also had his police custody extended until May 31.
Vishal Agarwal faces charges under the Juvenile Justice Act for endangering the minor by allowing him to drive the car.
