Pune: Court has denied the anticipatory bail applications of 13 individuals accused of embezzling ₹4 crore from Sassoon Hospital’s bank account.

The decision was handed down by Sessions Judge D.P. Ragit, following opposition from the prosecution, which emphasized the large scale of the fraud and the need for further investigation.

Among the accused are Senior Assistant Cashier Sulakshana Chabukswar, Nurse Suman Walkoli, Attendant Nilesh Shinde, and several other hospital staff members, including administrative and medical personnel.

A total of 25 people have been charged in the case, which was filed at the Bund Garden Police Station based on a complaint by hospital administrative officer Ghoroba Awate.

The investigation revealed that between July 31, 2023, and January 24, 2024, former administrative officer Anil Mane and cashier Sulakshana Chabukswar withdrew over ₹4 crore from the hospital’s Bank of Baroda account and transferred the funds to accounts belonging to themselves and other accused individuals.

Additional Public Prosecutor Leena Pathak strongly opposed the bail applications, arguing that the accused had acted in collusion and that further investigation was needed to uncover how the embezzled funds were used, whether any third parties were involved, and the full extent of the crime.

Pathak emphasized that custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary, and granting bail could obstruct the investigation.

The court accepted these arguments and rejected the anticipatory bail pleas, allowing the investigation to proceed without interference.