Doctor’s bail plea rejected in child’s death case

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad Bench has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Dr Arjun Pawar, accused in the death of five-and-a-half-year-old Daivik Avinash Aghav due to an alleged surgical error at Vedant Children’s Hospital.

Justice Arun Pednekar denied relief after police highlighted critical lapses in the case. Investigators revealed that the hospital failed to provide surgery-related case papers and withheld CCTV footage from April 26 to 28, 2024, which was allegedly deleted. The prosecution argued that the doctor’s negligence or possible intent needed further investigation. The child remained on a ventilator for 11 days post-surgery, but his parents were reportedly kept in the dark about his actual condition. Chief Public Prosecutor Amarjeetsingh Girase strongly opposed bail, citing the need for custodial interrogation. Advocates Siddheshwar Thombre and Sandeep Andhale represented the victim’s family.