Actor, police staffer’s mother, and other senior citizens allege vision loss after cataract surgeries by doctor on panel of Navi Mumbai civic body
Dr Chandan Pandit. Pics/By Special Arrangement
At least six senior citizens, including a horror film actor and a woman whose son works with the Navi Mumbai police commissioner’s office, are now partially or fully blind after undergoing cataract surgeries allegedly performed by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) panel doctor Chandan Pandit.
While one victim has already filed an FIR with Vashi police, others are now coming forward. The NMMC has initiated an internal investigation. This comes even as victims reveal that Dr Pandit had previously been suspended for negligence but was reinstated in 2017.
The allegations
Dr Pandit allegedly conducted surgeries at his father’s clinic, which victims claim is not an authorised medical facility for such procedures. The complainants also allege that when surgeries go wrong, Dr Pandit conveniently shifts the blame onto his elderly father.
VictimSpeak
Rajendra Gupta, 67, said, “I was once called the ‘Bike King’ in my area as I rode long distances on my bike. Today, I struggle to go to the bathroom without help. One wrong surgery changed everything.” Gupta’s daughter Deepali said, “Dr Pandit conducted the surgery despite my father being diabetic. We trusted him because of his NMMC panel status.”
Raj Kumar Chandan, 76, a horror film actor and resident of Vashi, said, “I went to his clinic in 2014 for cataract surgery. He made me one-eyed. I still regret the day I walked into his clinic. I have acted in scary films, but nothing is scarier than living like this. He robbed me of my sight and my career.” Anjani Sawant, a resident of Airoli, said, “My son works in Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe’s office, and yet I feel helpless. My world is now a blur. Strict action should be taken against him.”
Sanjeev Gupta, a resident of Juhu Gaon, Vashi, said, “I went for cataract surgery in December 2022. Six months later, I started losing vision in both eyes because of the poor-quality lenses. He didn’t give me proper documents. When I went to collect my documents and told Dr Pandit my eyes were constantly watering, he replied, ‘it is god’s gift’. I didn’t file a complaint earlier, but now I support Rajendra Gupta’s fight for justice.”
Kisan Bhikaji Dhanawade, 69, and his wife Laxmi Kisan Dhanawade, 64, residents of Airoli, Thane, have partial vision loss. Their son Praveen said, “When I had my parents’ eyes checked recently at a hospital in Nerul, I discovered that the lenses used were of very low quality and can be purchased for just R800 in the market. I filed a complaint with the police, and an FIR was registered. We demand justice for my parents. Doctors have told me that they cannot replace the lenses now.”
Action initiated
Dr Prashant Jawade, NMMC’s medical officer (health), said, “We’ve taken serious note of the complaints. An investigation has been proposed.”
Senior Inspector Sanjay Dhumal of Vashi police added, “An FIR has been registered against both, Dr Chandan Pandit and his 87-year-old father Dr DV Pandit. We have registered a complaint based on a report by the civil surgeon. The doctors are accused of having conducted the surgeries in a rash, hasty and negligent manner. As a result, six patients, including a couple aged 65, suffered severe eye injuries.”
Dhumal added, “We are also checking if doctors are allowed to carry out surgeries at the age of 87. We also found that the doctors had not renewed their licenses with the Maharashtra Medical Council. They have been booked the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as provisions of the National Medical Commission Act.”
Deepali said, “The Vashi police told us to provide a certificate issued by Padma Shri Dr TP Lahane confirming vision loss. They said once they get this, they will proceed under stronger sections.”
Passing the buck
According to sources, when confronted, Dr Pandit reportedly claimed that the surgeries were performed by his father, not him. However, patients strongly deny this. “It was Dr Chandan Pandit who performed the surgery,” Deepali said.
Ousted, quietly reinstated
Dr Pandit had been suspended in 2016 by then-commissioner of NMMC Tukaram Mundhe, but was reinstated in 2017 under Dr Ramaswamy without a full inquiry, according to internal documents accessed by mid-day.
Despite several attempts by this newspaper, Dr Chandan Pandit and his father Dr DV Pandit were unavailable for comment.
2016
Year Dr Chandan Pandit was suspended
‘Robbed of sight’
Sanjeev Gupta
‘I went for cataract surgery in December 2022. Six months later, I started losing vision in both eyes’
Raj Kumar Chandan
‘I have acted in scary films, but nothing is scarier than living like this. He robbed me of my sight and my career’
Kisan and Lakshmi Dhanawade
‘Due to negligence of the doctor, poor-quality lenses were implanted two years ago, resulting in partial vision loss’
Rajendra Gupta
‘I struggle to go to the bathroom without help. One wrong surgery changed everything’
Anjani Sawant
‘My son works in Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe’s office, and yet I feel helpless. My world is now a blur’
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