PUNE, 13 August 2025: In the last two weeks, four patients have escaped from the Yerawada Regional Mental Hospital, prompting the suspension of six employees, including four attendants and two guards who were on night duty. Authorities say the incidents exposed both staff negligence and the absence of a proper protective wall around the facility.
The first escape took place on July 29, when a 37-year-old male patient from Nanded fled from the men’s ward. Three more patients, aged 35, 40, and 45 from Solapur district, escaped on August 1. While the Solapur patients have since returned home, the Nanded patient remains missing. A police complaint has been filed, and an investigation is underway.
Following the escapes, hospital authorities suspended the six staff members and issued show-cause notices to two senior doctors and two ward assistants, giving them seven days to respond. Preliminary findings cited lack of supervision, shortage of night staff, and violations of security protocols.
Health activist Sharat Shetty alleged that a multi-crore rupee fund meant for constructing the hospital’s protective wall was misused by former officials, with the report on the scam being suppressed by the health department. He claimed that political and administrative protection has allowed the culprits to avoid action, leaving patient and hospital security at risk.
Dr. Nagnath Yempalle, in-charge deputy director of health for the Pune division, confirmed that both the absence of a protective wall and staff negligence led to the disciplinary measures.
