Adani Targets Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital?
• Charity to Corporate: Adani’s Next Big Grab?
• Rs 1 Land Deal: Adani’s Smooth Takeover Route!
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
According to exclusive information obtained by the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team, Pune’s renowned Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, once celebrated for its exceptional patient services and high profitability, is now facing serious internal turmoil. Sources reveal that industrialist Gautam Adani and his Adani Group may soon take over the hospital in a highly controversial move.
Insiders claim that prior to the current crisis, the hospital was running successfully and generating significant profits, owing to its reputation for top-tier medical care. However, recent developments suggest a strategic and politically-backed attempt to shift control.
Sprouts News has learned that Gautam Adani recently held a private meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting approval for a massive 1 lakh sq. ft. construction project under the banner of “hospital development.” Following this meeting, the Maharashtra government reportedly passed a resolution approving the project and has decided to allot prime land to the hospital at a shockingly low rate of just Rs. 1 per square foot, causing a potential revenue loss of crores of rupees to the Pune Municipal Corporation.
Questions have also been raised about the internal composition of the Deenanath Mangeshkar Trust. Sources say that out of all the members, only three represent the Lata Mangeshkar family, while the majority are reportedly aligned with the RSS lobby, effectively placing the hospital under the control of BJP-backed interests. This has cleared the path for a smooth takeover by the Adani Group.
The original establishment of the hospital was deeply rooted in philanthropy, with Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar spearheading the project to fulfill her father’s dream. At the time, the Maharashtra government allotted 6 acres of land for just Rs. 1, acknowledging the hospital’s charitable mission.
However, despite this legacy and its charitable status, the hospital now charges Rs. 600 for a basic case paper, in stark violation of legal norms that cap such charges at Rs. 50. While the hospital’s staff and medical professionals are highly regarded, the services remain unaffordable for the poor, raising serious concerns about the commercialization of a public-trust institution.
Sources further allege that the hospital generates nearly Rs. 100 crore in annual profits—making it an attractive target for corporate takeover. With Gautam Adani’s close ties to BJP leadership, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis, the businessman is said to have “easily managed” the necessary clearances from all authorities.
As Adani’s influence grows, the fear is that Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, once a symbol of charitable healthcare, may soon be transformed into a profit-driven venture under corporate control—marking yet another instance of public resources and legacies being handed over to private monopolies for a pittance.
•Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital Faces Rs 22 Crore Tax Dues, Sprouts News Investigation Reveals
Pune’s prestigious Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital is once again in the spotlight—this time over serious financial irregularities. According to a Sprouts News investigation, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a formal notice to the hospital demanding payment of Rs 22.06 crore in overdue property tax. The notice warns that if the dues are not cleared within two days, the hospital’s property could be seized under legal provisions.
This development comes amid ongoing public outrage following the tragic death of a pregnant woman, allegedly due to the hospital’s refusal to provide emergency treatment in the absence of advance payment. The incident has drawn widespread criticism and reignited debates over private healthcare accountability.
Sprouts News has learned that the property tax dues date back to 2014 and are linked to a legal dispute between the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation and the PMC. The Foundation had earlier contested the tax assessment in court, following which the court directed a 50% rebate on the general tax while mandating payment of the remaining dues. Despite this, the total outstanding amount has now reached over Rs 22 crore.
A recent internal meeting at the PMC, led by Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B. P., concluded with a verbal directive to proceed with seizure under Rule 42 if payments remain pending. Acting on this, the Property Tax Department has served a final notice to the hospital management.
Meanwhile, political leaders have also weighed in. MP Supriya Sule, during a meeting at the PMC headquarters, questioned why swift action wasn’t taken earlier. “The PMC plays drums outside the homes of common citizens for unpaid taxes—why the delay in acting against a hospital that owes crores?” she asked. She warned of possible agitation if the PMC fails to act decisively.
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Hospital Director Dr. Dhananjay Kelkar has claimed that no tax is pending, but PMC’s official notice contradicts this. The notice, addressed to the Foundation’s management, clearly states the pending amount and outlines legal consequences if payment is not made.
Adding fuel to the fire, the controversy over the pregnant woman’s death has led the PMC’s Health Department to issue a city-wide directive to all private hospitals, instructing them not to demand advance payments for emergency treatment. However, the Indian Medical Association and the Hospital Board of India have opposed this directive, arguing that there is no legal basis for such enforcement.
During a recent joint meeting, these associations criticized the targeting of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and called for a fair investigation before drawing conclusions. They further claimed that the PMC is misinterpreting provisions under the Bombay Nursing Home Act.
Sprouts News will continue to follow this developing story, as the clash between public interest, legal interpretation, and private healthcare management intensifies in Pune.