Mumbai: City MLA puts JJ dean in the dock

Yamini Jadhav said Dr Pallavi Saple had sold plasma collected through blood donation when she headed the Miraj Government Medical College. File pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

A ruling Shiv Sena MLA, Yamini Jadhav, on Thursday levelled allegations of financial irregularities against the Dean of JJ Hospital and Medical College, Dr Pallavi Saple, and demanded an inquiry. Jadhav, a city MLA, told the Assembly through ‘point of information' that Saple had sold plasma collected through blood donation when she headed the Miraj Government Medical College.

"Dr Saple used the money collected (through plasma sale) to buy an ambulance for Rs 13 lakh, and later donated it to the hospital in her mother's name. A function was also organised. The irregularity was committed in collaboration with Dr Milind Kesarkhane. An account was opened in HDFC Bank. I have proof," she said.

The MLA said the plasma was separated from the blood that was donated by patients' relatives. She further added that a senior IAS officer, Vinita Singhal, had written to the government to suspend Dr Saple and initiate an open inquiry against her for financial irregularities. "The inquiry should begin now," Jadhav said.

According to another allegation, Dr Saple has been using a rented car. "R1 lakh is spent every month on this car she has been using since she was in Miraj. The total expenditure has gone up to Rs 70-Rs 80 lakh, for which at least 10 cars could have been bought," Jadhav said, levelling further accusations. Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai said that information would be sought from Jadhav on Thursday itself, and the allegations probed.