Pune Court Takes Cognizance of Complaint Against Ruby Hall Clinic Doctors

A Pune court has taken cognizance of a private complaint concerning the treatment of a nine-year-old girl at Ruby Hall Clinic. The matter has been registered as a Regular Criminal Case, with summons issued to the accused.

PUNE, September 20, 2026: The Judicial Magistrate First Class Court in Pune has taken cognizance of a private criminal complaint concerning the treatment and subsequent death of a nine-year-old girl, Rhea Rohan Lobo, who had travelled from Dubai to Pune for medical care.

In an order titled Sunil Lobo v. Purvez Grant and Others, the court directed that the complaint be registered as a Regular Criminal Case and ordered summons to be issued to the accused persons. The matter is scheduled for hearing on October 19, 2026.

The complaint was filed by Rhea’s uncles, Sunil Savio Lobo and Neil Lobo, represented by Advocate Aashuutosh Srivastava. The proceedings relate to allegations concerning the treatment provided at Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanowrie, and subsequently at its Sassoon Road facility between December 27, 2021, and January 9, 2022.

The persons named in the complaint include individuals associated with the hospital’s management, medical and nursing administration, as well as clinical treatment.

According to the court proceedings, the complaint was originally filed in 2022. The complainant was examined on oath under Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, while an inquiry under Section 202 was conducted through Koregaon Park Police Station.

A police report dated April 22, 2026, stated that the treatment records had been referred to an Expert Committee at Sassoon General Hospital. The complainants have also relied on a communication dated March 4, 2026, in which the committee recorded a prima facie opinion regarding medical negligence in relation to treatment allegedly provided by Dr. Vaibhav Meshram. The allegations and material placed before the court remain subject to examination during the proceedings.

Advocate Aashuutosh Srivastava said the family had been pursuing the matter since 2022 and that the court had considered the sworn statement and documents placed on record. He said the proceedings would provide an opportunity for the complainants to present their evidence and for the accused to present their defence.

The complaint refers to a CT scan report dated December 30, 2021, which, according to the complainants, contained findings suggestive of ARDS or pulmonary oedema. The family alleges that treatment continued on the basis of a bacterial infection and that an external medical opinion recommending ventilator support was obtained only on January 7, 2022.

According to the complaint, Rhea was placed on ventilator support that evening and was shifted on January 8, 2022, to the main Ruby Hall Clinic facility on Sassoon Road, where paediatric intensive-care facilities were available.

The complaint also raises concerns regarding alleged oxygen-supply issues on January 6 and 7, 2022, the response to monitor alarms, nursing observations and the availability of paediatric ventilatory equipment at the Wanowrie facility. The complainants have stated that they sought incident reports relating to the alleged oxygen-supply events.

In its order dated September 19, 2026, the court recorded that it had considered the complaint, the complainant’s verification and supporting documents and had heard the complainants’ advocate. The court also observed that the complaint was within the applicable limitation period.

Based on the material placed before it, the court found sufficient prima facie grounds to proceed and took cognizance under Sections 269, 304-A, 336, 338, 426 and 120-B read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

The order marks the beginning of the court proceedings and does not constitute a final determination of liability. The accused persons will have an opportunity to appear before the court, respond to the proceedings and raise their available legal defences.

The next date mentioned in the order is October 19, 2026.

Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter
NewsDotz