A private hospital in Ludhiana has been accused of holding a deceased patient's body for over 14 hours, refusing to release it to his grieving family until they paid an outstanding bill exceeding Rs 6.6 lakh. The distressing standoff only concluded after the intervention of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, which directed the hospital to waive the debt and hand over the mortal remains.
A Grieving Family's Ordeal
The incident involved Amar Joshi, who was undergoing treatment for liver disease. He was declared dead at 5 am on Thursday. His brother, Sonu Joshi, a local priest who supports an extended family of 25 members, described the hospital's actions as adding "unbearable cruelty" to their profound loss. The family claimed the hospital demanded the final payment despite having already received more than Rs 11 lakh for a liver transplant procedure that ultimately failed.
"I explained to the billing counter that I simply did not have the capacity to pay another Rs 6.6 lakh," stated Sonu Joshi. "But they were adamant. They insisted that until the deposit was made, the body would not be released." The body was reportedly held at the facility until 7 pm, during which the frantic family sought assistance from community advocates and welfare organizations.
Intervention by Human Rights Commission
The deadlock was broken when the Sikh Welfare Council escalated the matter to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission. Baljinder Singh, a council representative, contacted commission member Jatinder Singh Shanty. Taking swift action, Shanty issued a direct order to the district administration and the hospital management.
"Initially, the hospital was even asking for a post-dated cheque to secure the debt," revealed Baljinder Singh. "However, once they were formally informed of the human rights commission's advisory concerning the release of deceased patients, they agreed to waive the outstanding dues and hand over the body." The hospital administration complied with the directive but has not issued any formal statement regarding the delay and refused to comment on the incident.
Broader Implications and Legal Stand
The incident has inflicted a significant financial and emotional toll on the Joshi family. Amar Joshi's death leaves a void in a large household that includes his three sons, aged 21, 19, and 15. While the family expressed deep gratitude towards the commission and the advocates who helped them, the episode has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of medical ethics in India's private healthcare sector.
This practice, often termed "corpse hostage-taking" by activists, is explicitly prohibited under the law and has been condemned in various high court rulings. These rulings clearly state that hospitals cannot detain a body over unpaid medical bills. The Ludhiana case highlights a persistent gap between legal mandates and ground realities, underscoring the need for greater accountability and sensitivity in handling such sensitive situations.
