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Hospital Staff Suspended Over Stolen Vials
9 Apr
Summary
- Class 4 staffer suspended for allegedly stealing 20 mephentermine vials.
- Inquiry found irregularities in drug handling and record-keeping.
- Police investigation urged to trace missing drug stock and accountability.
A class 4 staff member at a Pune district hospital faces disciplinary action after being linked to the alleged theft of 20 vials of mephentermine sulphate. The report, submitted on March 23, 2026, led to orders for disciplinary proceedings against Swapnil Chavan. He was suspended under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979.
The ensuing inquiry committee found substantial discrepancies in the handling of mephentermine, noting 20 vials were missing from the main drug store. Irregularities, including overwrites in expenditure records between 2023 and October 2025, were also identified, with no explanation provided by officials.
Given mephentermine's status as a Schedule H drug, its potential misuse by individuals outside the medical field was highlighted. Authorities have instructed a thorough police investigation alongside the departmental probe to establish accountability and address potential lapses in drug handling protocols. A final report is expected at the earliest.
