Pune: The infant discovered in a jar in a garbage dump in Daund was not a recent case but had been preserved for five years, according to a Health Department inquiry report. The male fetus, which was only 18 to 20 weeks old at birth, was delivered at Bhangale Hospital, Gopalwadi, by a pregnant woman in August 2020. The hospital had stored the fetus in formalin solution and used it for educational purposes in a nursing college.
On March 25, several jars containing human remains were found in Daund, creating a wave of concern among locals. One of these jars contained a dead infant, while others had various human organs. Daund police seized the jars and launched an investigation.
Following the incident, District Civil Surgeon Dr. Nagnath Yampalle prepared a detailed report, which was submitted to the Deputy Director of Health, Pune Division, Dr. Radhakishan Pawar.
The inquiry report confirmed that:
One jar contained the infant, while ten other jars held human organs such as the breasts, testes, uterus, pancreas, and ovarian tumors.
The Bhangale Hospital doctors admitted that the organs were surgically removed and preserved in the hospital.
The infant was delivered prematurely at 18–20 weeks gestation on August 30, 2020, at the hospital by a pregnant woman.
The hospital did not obtain permission to store the infant or the organs and had been using them for medical training purposes.
Legal Violations and Police Action
Although there was no violation of the Prenatal Sex Determination Act, the hospital was found guilty of:
Violating the Anatomy Act of 1949 by storing human organs without authorization.
Breach of the Biomedical Waste Management Act due to improper disposal of medical remains.