Sahyadri Hospital Licence Suspended After Couple Dies in Liver Transplant.

Sahyadri Hospital Liver Transplant Tragedy

• Licence Suspended, Police Probe Negligence After Couple’s Death

• A Dream Operation Turns Deadly

• Denials and Demands: The Hospital’s Stance

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098

A double death during a liver transplant at Pune’s Sahyadri Hospital has prompted a licence suspension and a police probe. The tragedy, which orphaned two children, occurred as Manipal Hospitals finalized its acquisition of the facility, raising complex questions of corporate accountability and medical negligence. Investigations are ongoing.

Sahyadri Hospital Liver Transplant Tragedy: Licence Suspended, Police Probe Negligence After Couple’s Death

A double fatality during a live donor liver transplant at Pune’s renowned Sahyadri Hospital has triggered a multi-faceted investigation and a suspension of its transplant license. The Maharashtra health department and Pune police are conducting parallel probes into potential medical negligence. This case throws a spotlight on patient safety protocols and corporate accountability in India’s private healthcare sector, coinciding with the hospital’s recent acquisition by a major chain.

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A Life-Saving Procedure Ends in Unthinkable Loss

On August 15, 2025, Bapu Komkar, 48, underwent a liver transplant at Sahyadri Hospital with his wife, Kamini, 41, as the living donor. The planned life-saving surgery ended in catastrophe when Bapu succumbed to cardiogenic shock just two days post-operation. Initially stable, Kamini developed sudden complications and passed away from multi-organ dysfunction on August 22, orphaning their two children.

The family, who took a massive ₹12 lakh loan for the procedure, has publicly questioned the hospital’s standards of care.

Hospital Denies Lapses as Regulatory Machinery Swings Into Action

Sahyadri Hospital issued an official statement denying any procedural lapses, asserting the surgery adhered to “standard medical protocols.” However, the state health department responded with a swift clampdown. It served the hospital a notice demanding complete patient records and counselling documentation. On August 27, the state advisory committee suspended Sahyadri’s live liver transplant licence under the Human Organ Transplantation Act, 1994, pending a full inquiry.

Further, it was flagged as a serious procedural lapse that the hospital did not notify the health department about the deaths, as mandated under THOA norms.

SIT Investigation Reveals Scrutiny on Consent and Post-Op Care

The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has learned that investigators are focusing on two critical areas: the adequacy of the informed consent process and post-operative ICU management. Authorities are examining if the Komkar family was fully apprised of the profound risks involved for both the donor and recipient.

Concurrently, the Pune police have registered an accidental death report and directed Sassoon General Hospital to form an independent medical board to assess alleged negligence. An eight-member high-level expert committee has also been constituted under the state health department, including prominent figures such as Prof. Mohamed Rela (Chennai) and Dr. Ram Prabhu (KEM, Mumbai), to evaluate the transplant process and hospital compliance.

Corporate Acquisition by Manipal Hospitals Complicates Liability

Adding a complex corporate dimension, the tragedy occurred amidst Sahyadri Hospitals’ acquisition by Manipal Health Enterprises. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) formally cleared the 100% stake acquisition on September 2. Legal experts consulted by the Sprouts News SIT indicate this timing creates significant ambiguity regarding legal and financial accountability. This high-profile case may set a new precedent for corporate responsibility within India’s rapidly consolidating hospital industry.

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National Implications for Healthcare Governance and Oversight

This incident transcends a single hospital’s failure, raising urgent questions about transplant governance and regulatory oversight across India. The outcomes of the criminal probe and licence suspension are being closely watched by healthcare policymakers and industry stakeholders.

The findings could mandate stricter enforcement of accreditation standards and more robust audits for centers performing high-risk procedures like living donor transplants.

The Sprouts News SIT will continue to monitor this developing story, tracking its impact on healthcare regulation and the pursuit of justice for the bereaved Komkar family. This case represents a critical test for India’s medical regulatory framework and its ability to hold powerful corporate hospital entities accountable.