What began as a major security scare at Usha Kiran Hospital in Pune’s Hadapsar area has now been revealed as an alleged extortion attempt carried out by a 35-year-old man seeking money for his medical treatment. The accused, identified as Shivaji Rathod, allegedly planted a dummy bomb inside the hospital following a dispute with doctors and later intended to demand lakhs of rupees from the hospital administration. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said investigators established the accused’s identity through CCTV footage analysis by Wednesday afternoon, leading police to intensify efforts to track him down and uncover the motive behind the act.
During the probe, police recovered a box of digital watches from the accused’s residence in Pune’s Manjari area. Officials suspect the items were used to assemble the dummy bomb after Rathod allegedly watched instructional videos online. Police said the accused tried to avoid arrest and fled the city, but he was eventually detained by the Anti-Terrorism Squad at Nagpur Railway Station. Investigators confirmed that no explosive substance was used in the device and clarified that the incident had no terror connection. Authorities described the case as a personal attempt to extort money, adding that the accused reportedly has no previous criminal background.
Police officials said technical analysis of mobile and digital records helped them identify the accused’s relatives and close associates, after which search teams were sent to his residence. Investigators received a crucial lead when they discovered that the accused had purchased dual tape worth ₹15 from a nearby shop using GPay while preparing the dummy bomb. The digital payment trail reportedly helped officers trace his identity and mobile number. According to preliminary findings, Rathod is married and was undergoing treatment for a sexually transmitted disease. He had visited the hospital on May 10, where he allegedly got into an argument with doctors, which police believe triggered the incident.
Investigators suspect the accused planted the dummy bomb out of anger following the dispute at the hospital and intended to extort money to cover his medical expenses. Police said Rathod had allegedly planned to travel to Dhule to stay with a relative before attempting to flee to Nepal. Officials added that forensic examination of the seized materials is still pending, and more details are expected once the report is submitted. Searches at the accused’s residence and further investigation into the case are continuing as police attempt to establish the complete sequence of events surrounding the fake bomb scare that triggered panic at the hospital.