In a shocking case of negligence, police in Ludhiana have named four doctors as accused in a First Information Report (FIR) related to the swapping of two women's bodies at a private hospital. The incident, which occurred at Orison Super Specialty Hospital in Barewal, led to one family mistakenly cremating the wrong body.
The Tragic Mix-Up and Police Action
The case dates back to December 19, when 73-year-old Jasvir Kaur Sandhu from Moga died while undergoing treatment for a stomach ailment at the hospital. Her husband, Jaswant Singh Sandhu, requested the hospital authorities to preserve her body in the mortuary until their sons, who were abroad, could return for the last rites.
However, when the family went to collect the body on December 22, they found the designated refrigerator empty. The hospital staff then attempted to hand over the body of another woman. Upon checking the face, the Sandhu family realized it was not Jasvir Kaur. Hospital authorities later admitted that Jasvir's body had been erroneously handed over to the family of Manju Diwan from Ludhiana. By the time the mistake was discovered, Manju's family had already cremated Jasvir's body, believing it to be their relative.
Doctors Named Following Police Commissioner's Order
Initially, an FIR was registered on December 22 at Sarabha Nagar police station against the hospital's management and staff under sections 305, 314, and 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), but no individuals were named. This changed nearly two weeks later.
On the orders of the Ludhiana Police Commissioner, the names of four doctors from the hospital have now been formally added to the FIR as accused. The named individuals are:
- Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Malhi, a senior gastroenterologist who was treating Jasvir Kaur.
- Dr. Sunil Mittal, Director.
- Dr. Rajeev Grover, Director.
- Dr. Manisha Mittal, Director.
This development marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings, holding specific medical professionals accountable for the grave error.
Families' Ordeal and Broader Implications
The incident has caused immense distress to both families involved. The Sandhu family was deprived of a final viewing and the chance to perform last rites for their mother correctly. Simultaneously, the family of Manju Diwan performed the final rituals for a stranger, compounding their grief with confusion and horror.
Such cases raise serious questions about protocols in hospital mortuaries and the duty of care owed to bereaved families. The charges of criminal breach of trust reflect the severe breach of responsibility in safeguarding the deceased. The police investigation is ongoing, and further legal action against the hospital administration is anticipated.
This tragic event in Ludhiana underscores the critical need for stringent checks, transparent procedures, and absolute accountability in healthcare institutions when handling the deceased.
