12 of 18 injured disappear from hospital

Leave before authorities record their names, addresses

Leave before authorities record their names, addresses



Twelve of the 18 patients admitted to Pune's Sassoon Hospital have left against medical advice. More worryingly, the hospital has no way of tracing them, as staffers did not bother to take down their addresses.

Alone: Parents of Piduri Sinduri (24), an IT professional, who died in the blast. Pic/Jignesh Mistry

Luckily, the police have details of 11 of the 12 patients except for one -- 25-year-old Prasad Kulkarni. The hospital does not have Kulkarni's address and the police have not questioned him.

"We have no clue of their whereabouts. I believe the police have the details of all the injured except one who left without a trace. As far as we know, he has not even been questioned," said Dr P S Pawar, medical superintendent, Sassoon Hospital.

Kulkarni's flight came to light after District Tehsildar Bhausaheb Jadhav arrived at Sassoon Hospital with relief cheques for the victims. However, he was shocked when he learnt that only six of the 18 victims of the blasts were present. Others had fled without an address.

"Even if they have left, they will start coming back as soon as they hear of compensation money," said a hopeful Jadhav. CM Ashok Chavan announced yesterday that treatment for the victims would be free of cost.