Pune car crash: NCP MLA's old recommendation letter for arrested doc surfaces

Porsche involved in accident where two motorbike-borne engineers lost their lives earlier this month. Pic/PTI

Following the arrest of Dr Ajay Taware, a doctor at Sassoon General Hospital, in connection with the Pune car crash, an old endorsement letter from NCP MLA Sunil Tingre surfaced. The letter, dated December 2023, suggested Dr Taware for the additional role of medical superintendent.

Dr Taware, the head of the Forensic Medicine department, together with Dr Shrihari Halnor, the chief medical officer, and staffer Atul Ghatkamble, were arrested by Pune police. They are suspected of tampering with evidence in a Pune car crash on May 19, in which a speeding Porsche, allegedly driven by an intoxicated 17-year-old, killed two IT professionals in Kalyani Nagar.

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According to the police, doctors changed the juvenile's blood samples with those of another individual to ensure there was no evidence of alcohol. According to reports, MLA Tingre interfered to assure the juvenile's fair treatment, although a top official stated that Tingre's presence had no influence on the probe in the Pune car crash.

Tingre's letter, addressed to state medical education minister Hasan Mushrif, lauded Dr Taware's previous performance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mushrif's handwritten comment on the letter asked the hospital dean to consider Pune car crash accused Taware for the additional position, stressing that the present superintendent did not satisfy the qualifications.

"I request you to kindly consider giving the additional charge of medical superintendent to Taware," the letter stated.

In a response, Tingre defended the advice, noting that it was common practice to produce such letters for various public requests and that they always included a note for steps to be performed following the rules. Tingre expressed faith in the justice system and hoped the investigation on the Pune car crash would shed light on the matter.

"As a public representative, many people approach me for recommendation letters for various reasons such as school admissions, medical treatment, and job transfers. Each recommendation letter includes a note that action should be taken according to the rules, and the department concerned acts only if the request is appropriate," he stated.

"I have full faith in the justice system, and I believe things will get clear at the end of an enquiry," he said.