Pune Court Takes Cognizance In Death Of 9-Year-Old Girl At Ruby Hall Clinic

Pune: A court has initiated legal proceedings in response to a complaint filed by the uncles of a nine-year-old girl, Rhea Rohan Lobo. Rhea had traveled from Dubai to Pune for medical treatment, and she ultimately passed away. The complaint alleges negligence in the care provided at Ruby Hall Clinic's Wanowrie and Sassoon Road locations between late December 2021 and early January 2022.

Judicial Magistrate First Class Samruddhi P. Narvekar has ordered the registration of a Regular Criminal Case and issued summons against the accused. The case will be heard on October 19, 2026. The complaint was filed by Rhea's uncles, Sunil Savio Lobo and Neil Lobo, with the assistance of Advocate Aashutosh Shrivastava. The individuals implicated in the complaint are connected to the hospital's management and various healthcare professionals.

Following the initial filing of the complaint in 2022, the family underwent examination under Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and an inquiry was conducted at Koregaon Park Police Station. A police report was submitted on April 22, 2026, reporting the referral of treatment records to an Expert Committee at Sassoon General Hospital.

The complainants claim that the committee's communication, dated March 4, 2026, indicated medical negligence in the treatment administered by Dr. Vaibhav Meshram. The allegations and the committee's opinion remain subject to challenge during the course of the proceedings. The complaint sheds light on various concerns related to Rhea's medical care, including delayed ventilation support, oxygen supply issues, and problems associated with nursing observations, monitor alarms, and the availability of pediatric ventilatory equipment.

Advocate Aashutosh Shrivastava expressed his belief that the Judicial Magistrate found sufficient prima facie evidence to proceed against the accused. The family remains hopeful for a fair judicial review of the treatment Rhea received and the circumstances surrounding her passing. The court has taken cognizance under Sections 269, 304-A, 336, 338, and 120-B read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but the order does not establish guilt, and the suspects have the opportunity to defend themselves.