In a tragic and legally perplexing case from Ahmedabad, a chain of events triggered by a stray dog darting across a road has culminated in a deceased man being booked for his own death, exposing what his family describes as profound systemic apathy within both the healthcare and legal frameworks.
The Fatal Accident and Subsequent Treatment
The case revolves around Hitesh Mistri, a 32-year-old resident of Pij village in Vaso taluka, who tragically lost his life during treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on January 30. According to a complaint filed by his younger brother, Ravi, at the Vaso police station, the incident began on the evening of January 26.
Mistri was riding his motorcycle from Nadiad to Pij village when, near Tundel village close to Shreeji Villa Society, a stray dog suddenly ran across the road. This caused the motorcycle to skid off the roadway, resulting in Mistri sustaining significant injuries to his left leg and other parts of his body.
Alleged Gaps in Medical Care
Following the accident, Mistri was initially taken to a private hospital in Nadiad for emergency care. He was subsequently transferred to a CT scan centre for further evaluation before being readmitted to the same private hospital. On January 29, a surgical procedure was performed on his injured left leg.
However, shortly after the surgery, his condition reportedly began to deteriorate rapidly. The complaint highlights that he developed severe breathing difficulties, and critically, a ventilator was not immediately available at the facility. This delay in essential respiratory support allegedly contributed to a further decline in his health.
Doctors at the private hospital later referred him to the larger Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for advanced care. His family managed to shift him there in the early hours of January 30, but despite these efforts, medical interventions could not save him. Hitesh Mistri passed away around 11 a.m. on the same day.
A Bizarre Legal Outcome
Adding immense anguish to the family's grief is the subsequent legal handling of the case. Since the accident involved only Mistri's motorcycle—with no collision with another vehicle—the Vaso police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act. Astonishingly, the deceased Hitesh Mistri himself has been listed as the accused for causing his own death through alleged negligent driving.
This legal paradox, where a victim is posthumously charged, has sparked outrage and highlighted potential flaws in how single-vehicle accidents are interpreted under the law. The family's complaint seeks a thorough legal probe into the entire sequence of events, including a detailed examination of the treatment records from both hospitals involved.
Police Investigation and Systemic Questions
Vaso police officials have confirmed that a case has been registered based on the family's complaint. A further inquiry is currently underway to meticulously ascertain the complete sequence of events, from the initial accident to the final moments of treatment. This investigation aims to review all medical documentation and witness statements to piece together a clear timeline.
The case raises several pressing questions about systemic issues:
- Healthcare Protocols: Were there lapses in the immediate post-operative care and the availability of critical life-support equipment like ventilators?
- Inter-Hospital Coordination: Could the referral process and transfer between hospitals have been managed more efficiently to improve the patient's chances?
- Legal Interpretation: Does the application of laws in single-vehicle accidents adequately consider circumstances like sudden animal movements, or does it unfairly penalize the victim?
- Stray Animal Menace: This incident also brings back focus on the ongoing issue of stray dogs on roads and public spaces, posing risks to commuters.
The tragic demise of Hitesh Mistri, followed by his posthumous booking, underscores a distressing intersection of alleged medical negligence and a rigid legal framework. It serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for empathetic and thorough investigations in such sensitive cases, ensuring justice for the bereaved and accountability within public systems.
