Virar ambulance driver seen treating patients

Ambulance driver Nilesh Bhoir seen treating patients in the videos. Pics/Hanif Patel

The source further told mid-day that Wadkar had hired employees, most of whom did not have any medical background, and they treated patients when doctors would not be available. mid-day has the two videos in which Bhoir is seen treating patients lying on a cot at the hospital. When contacted, Bhoir said, "I am pursuing a course in nursing and can also produce evidence for the same."

‘Was just cleaning the wound'

Regarding the videos he said, "It was a case of accident and I was cleaning the wound. I have put on a headgear as my eyesight is weak." Sources told mid-day that the Virar police had called Bhoir and recorded his statement. "We have recorded the statement of ambulance driver Bhoir," said a police officer. The human trafficking cell of the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) commissionerate had arrested Wadkar last week, as he could not produce a valid MBBS degree.

Wadkar got the hospital's registration renewed earlier this year (right) The registration certificate that was issued to Wadkar when he started the hospital

Investigation has revealed that medical practitioner Satish Mani, whose Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) registration number Wadkar had been using to run his hospital, is untraceable. Investigating officer Shivanand Deokar said, "On getting to know that the MMC registration number Wadkar was using belongs to Satish Mani, we started looking for him, but he is untraceable." "Mani's address is of Bangalore. The MMC has not received any fresh request to get his registration renewed. We are trying to locate him to get more clarity on the case," added Deokar.

‘Crucial evidence destroyed'

The source from the hospital further said that Wadkar and his accomplices had destroyed crucial pieces of evidence. "Wadkar possessed an iPhone. Why has a low-grade cell phone been shown in the seizure list? Where's that iPhone? Wadkar and his accomplices destroyed other pieces of evidence like CCTV footage of the hospital. Where is the register where patients' details were written? Who is favouring Wadkar and why?" asked the source. However, Deokar said, "There is only a live recording of the hospital, the CCTV footage could not be restored. Yes, we could not seize Wadkar's phone, as it was not in his possession during arrest. Our investigation is on."

Highway Hospital in Virar East

During interrogation, Wadkar told the police that he completed his MBBS from a university in Hyderabad. The cops have written a letter to the university, seeking details regarding Wadkar's medical degree. mid-day has received a VVCMC letter dated April 2, 2013 in which the civic body has issued a certificate of registration under section 5 of Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Amendment Act, 2006. The certificate reads, "This is to certify that Shri/Shrimati Dr. Mrs Arti S Wadkar (BDS) and Dr. Sunil Wadkar (MBBS) has been granted registration under the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Amendment Act 2006 in respect of Highway Hospital situated in Virar East to run the said maternity ward and nursing home with five maternity cots."

Accused Sunil Wadkar

‘Not authorised to run hospital'

A senior government health officer said, "Wadkar's wife has a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree, hence, she is not authorised to secure permission to run a hospital with a maternity ward." However, the registration expired and the couple continued to run the hospital even after that. The health department of Zilla Parishad, Palghar district, issued a letter dated May 4, 2021 to renew the certificate of registration and the same has been undersigned by District Health Officer, Dr. Dayanand Suryawanshi. The Virar police had served a notice to Dr. Suryawanshi last week to appear before them, but he is yet to appear. Sources at the ZP office told mid-day that Dr. Suryawanshi went on sick leave after the Virar cops called him. When contacted, he said, "I came to know about the summon from you. I have not received any summon till date."