Special Correspondent
Pune : Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital, one of Pune’s renowned medical institutions, is facing increasing scrutiny amid mounting controversies. Following public outrage over the death of Tanisha Bhise—a pregnant woman allegedly denied treatment for not being able to pay Rs 10 lakh—the hospital is now under the spotlight for defaulting on a massive Rs 27.38 crore in property tax dues.
According to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the hospital, which is registered under the name of Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation, has not paid property tax for nearly six years. In response, the PMC has issued a seizure notice to the hospital, demanding immediate payment of Rs 22.06 crore within two days, failing which further legal action will be initiated. The notice has been sent under Section 42 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act.
As per official records, the outstanding dues pertain to property located at Pune Peth Erandwane, Survey No. 8+13/2, with Property No. P/4/01/00593000. The hospital had previously filed a legal case against the tax assessment by PMC for the year 2016-17. The High Court, however, ordered the hospital to pay 50% of the general tax along with the remaining dues. As of now, the pending amount as per the court’s directive stands at over Rs 22 crore.
A recent meeting was held in the presence of Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., where he gave verbal orders to initiate seizure proceedings if dues are not cleared promptly. Following this directive, the PMC’s property tax department issued the formal notice to Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation.
This move comes after political pressure from NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule and Youth Congress State General Secretary Rohan Suravase Patil, who had warned of protests if the PMC failed to act against the hospital for both the Tanisha Bhise case and the unpaid taxes.
The situation has placed the hospital in serious legal and reputational trouble as both financial and ethical questions mount.
