In a tragic case at Sahyadri Hospital, Pune, a woman donor died days after her husband’s death following liver transplant surgery on August 15, 2025. Bapu Komkar (49) underwent the transplant with his wife Kamini (42) donating a part of her liver.
Bapu died on August 17 due to post-operative cardiogenic shock, and Kamini passed away from septic shock and multi-organ failure on August 21. Maharashtra’s health department has issued a formal notice demanding all procedural and medical details from the hospital by Monday to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Details of the Liver Transplant and Subsequent Deaths
The liver transplant surgeries were performed at Sahyadri Hospital’s Deccan branch for Bapu Komkar, who suffered from end-stage liver cirrhosis. Kamini, his wife, volunteered as the live donor. Despite thorough pre-surgical counselling on risks, Bapu’s condition deteriorated shortly after surgery, and he succumbed to cardiogenic shock.
Kamini initially showed signs of recovery but later developed septic shock leading to multi-organ dysfunction. Despite advanced treatment efforts, she could not be saved. The hospital expressed deep condolences and emphasised that the surgeries adhered to standard protocols considering the patient’s high-risk status. Sahyadri Hospital has committed full cooperation with the ongoing probe.
Background: Family’s Financial and Emotional Struggles
The Komkar family was from Hadapsar, Pune. They had taken significant financial burdens, including mortgaging their home and borrowing approximately Rs 20 lakh, to finance the transplant. The couple had two children aged 20 and 14, and Bapu was employed in the private sector while Kamini was a homemaker.
Kamini’s brother, Balraj Wadekar, has raised allegations of possible medical negligence questioning how a healthy donor could die so soon after surgery. The family is awaiting the post-mortem report and plans to approach law enforcement after receipt. Maharashtra’s Deputy Director of Health Services, Dr Nagnath Yempalle, has ordered the hospital to submit all documents, video evidence, and treatment records by 10 am Monday.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This alarming incident brings to light the high risks faced by patients and live donors in complex organ transplant procedures. While surgical complications are sometimes unavoidable, transparency, accountability, and patient safety must remain paramount.
The Logical Indian emphasises the right of patients and families to clear answers, ethical medical conduct, and strong regulatory oversight to ensure such tragedies are minimised in future. This case urges all stakeholders to prioritise compassion, integrity, and robust healthcare governance.
