Tension gripped Samrala in Ludhiana district on Thursday as angry residents blocked a major highway and protested outside a private hospital. The demonstration followed the death of an elderly man, with his family and locals alleging severe medical negligence.
Allegations of Surgical Negligence Lead to Tragedy
Sohan Singh underwent gallbladder surgery at a private hospital on Machhiwara Road in Samrala in October. According to his son, Harsh, the procedure led to an intestinal injury due to the doctor's alleged negligence. This injury caused severe complications, drastically worsening Sohan Singh's condition.
When his health deteriorated, the local doctor referred him to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana. The elderly man battled for his life in the ICU for over a month before succumbing on Thursday morning.
Highway Blocked, Police Intervene
Grief and anger spilled onto the streets following Sohan Singh's death. The grieving family, supported by local residents, staged a protest outside the private hospital. They then moved to block the Khanna–Nawanshahr road, a key highway, bringing traffic to a standstill. Protesters raised slogans demanding strict legal action against the doctor involved.
DSP (Samrala) Tarlochan Singh arrived at the scene to pacify the agitated crowd. He assured the family that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of a formal investigation. The police official stated that the cause of death would be ascertained through an autopsy conducted by a board of doctors, and only then would proceedings move forward.
Doctor's Statement and Aftermath
Following the police assurance, the protesters agreed to disperse, and traffic flow on the highway was restored. Responding to the serious allegations, the doctor named in the case, Dr. Gurmukh Singh, offered his version of events.
Dr. Singh stated that the surgery was performed successfully and the patient was under observation for five days. He claimed that a complication arose when the patient's stitches leaked, for which a second surgery was advised. However, the family chose to take Sohan Singh to DMCH instead. The doctor confirmed that he had already recorded his official statement with the Samrala police regarding the matter.
The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about medical accountability and has left a family demanding justice for their loss. The community's reaction underscores the deep-seated anxieties surrounding healthcare services in the region.
