NCW Steps In As Pune Woman Forced To Give Birth On Street After Being Denied Admission By Hospital

Last Updated:April 29, 2026, 17:08 IST

Supriya Nitesh Kale, 23, was forced to give birth at Nirmal Chowk in Shirur after she went into labour while rushing to seek medical help at Shirur Rural Hospital

The National Commission for Women (NCW) took a suo-motu cognisance of a report regarding a woman being forced to give birth on a bustling street after she was reportedly denied admission by Shirur Rural Hospital in Maharashtra’s Pune.

Supriya Nitesh Kale, 23, was forced to give birth at Nirmal Chowk in Shirur after she went into labour while rushing to seek medical help at Shirur Rural Hospital.

In a statement, the NCW flagged what it described as a “serious gaps" in emergency maternal healthcare and institutional delivery services.

“The incident, where timely intervention by local citizens and a passing doctor helped save both the mother and newborn, highlights serious gaps in emergency maternal healthcare and institutional delivery services", it said.

The NCW highlighted that forcing a woman to deliver her child in a public space is a “serious violation" of her right to reproductive health, privacy and dignity.

“The Commission has expressed deep concern, stating that every woman has the right to a safe, dignified, and institutional delivery, and forcing a woman to give birth in a public space is a serious violation of her right to reproductive health, privacy, and dignity".

“The Hon’ble Chairperson has directed the District Collector, Pune and the Principal Secretary, Public Health, Government of Maharashtra to investigate the systemic lapses, fix accountability for negligence, ensure proper postnatal care for the mother and child, and strengthen maternal healthcare infrastructure to prevent such incidents", it added.

What Is The Case?

Supriya Kale — who belongs to a financially vulnerable tribal community — had not gone a regular penatal check-up, according to a report by the Hindustan Times. 

While she was on her way to Shirur Rural Hospital in Pune, she went into labour and collapsed on the road. Onlookers rushed to help Kale, and immediately contacted a gynaecologist, Dr Sunita Pote, who clinic was less than half a kilometre from the spot, as per the HT report.

Despite the daunting circumstances, Dr Pote and the alert citizens helped the woman deliver her baby safely on the roadside.

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