Pune hospital IED case: Police say extortion for treatment, no terrorism angle

Pune police said Shivaji Rathod, 30, allegedly placed an improvised explosive device in Ushakiran Hospital to extort money for medical treatment. Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said the device appeared to contain no explosive material and was neutralised. Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and Railway Protection Force arrested Rathod in Nagpur while he tried to flee.

Pune Police said a man accused of placing an improvised explosive device in a private hospital acted to extort money. Police said the aim was to pay for personal medical treatment. Officials also said the case had no terrorism link. The object appeared to be a dummy device and lacked explosive material, police added.

The device was found in the washroom of Ushakiran Hospital in Pune’s Hadapsar area on Wednesday evening. A Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad team later neutralised it. Police began an investigation soon after the discovery. Officers also started tracking possible suspects linked to the hospital visit records.

Pune IED case: Police rule out terror link

Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar told reporters the suspected IED had no explosive content at first look. Kumar said, "The IED prima facie did not contain any explosive material.\" Kumar also said there was no terror angle. Police said a Forensic Science Laboratory report was still awaited for confirmation.

Police identified the accused as Shivaji Rathod, 30, who runs a garment shop in Pune’s Manjari area. Kumar told reporters Rathod was caught in Nagpur. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Rathod from the Shalimar Express. The Railway Protection Force assisted while Rathod was allegedly trying to flee.

Pune IED case: How investigators tracked the suspect

ATS officials said investigators used CCTV footage and technical evidence to trace Rathod. Police said several teams were formed to locate the suspect. Kumar said an ATS team detained Rathod in Nagpur. After the arrest, investigators searched Rathod’s shop for materials tied to the device.

During the shop search, police found the empty case of the timer used in the device. Kumar said Rathod bought a timer watch online. Police said Rathod also bought pipes from a nearby hardware shop. Kumar said the device was assembled after watching YouTube videos.

Pune IED case: Alleged motive linked to hospital treatment cost

Kumar said Rathod had visited Ushakiran Hospital for treatment on May 10. Police said Rathod received a cost estimate at the hospital. Kumar said Rathod then realised the amount was unaffordable. Police alleged Rathod planned to plant a bomb-like object to extort money.

Police said Rathod has been booked under the Explosives Act. Police also applied relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Officials said the investigation continues while the forensic report is pending. Police maintained the evidence so far points to extortion, not terrorism.

With inputs from PTI