Six Doctors Booked for Culpable Homicide in Ahmednagar Covid-19 Scandal

A chilling case of medical negligence and exploitation has come to light in Ahmednagar, where a 79-year-old patient's body has gone missing since August 2020. The debacle began when Babanrao Khokarale, a Covid-19 patient, was admitted to a Covid care centre run by Dr. Sachin Pandule, who shifted him to Nucleus Hospital without informing the family. Despite pleas from Babanrao, hospital staff allegedly refused permission for Ashok, his son, to meet him. The doctors informed the family that Babanrao had tested positive for Covid-19, contradicting the earlier negative report, and refused to discharge him. Later, the hospital demanded Rs.1.84 lakh in medical bills before releasing the body, but it remains missing to date.

Key Takeaways:

• The case of Babanrao Khokarale, a 79-year-old patient who went missing in August 2020, has resulted in the booking of six doctors for culpable homicide, medical negligence, forgery, and violations of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.
• The court complaint filed by Ashok Babanrao Khokarale alleged that his father was kept under observation despite normal initial reports, and was then shifted to Nucleus Hospital without informing the family.
• Despite multiple calls to his sons, pleading for help, Babanrao was allegedly tied to his bed and subjected to excessive blood draws, claiming "They are going to kill me."
• The hospital staff allegedly refused permission for Ashok to meet his father, and later demanded Rs.1.84 lakh in medical bills before releasing the body.
• The case has been referred to the deputy superintendent of police for further investigation, with no arrests made so far.
• The doctors involved have been booked under sections 304, 341, 342, 352, 406, 420, 463, 465, 468, 471, 191, 192, 196, 197, 198, 201, 120B, and 297 of the Indian Penal Code, and sections 18, 19, and 20 of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.
• The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court directed police to register an FIR on October 15, in compliance with the order, which has been registered on Saturday.

Statistics:

• 1.84 lakh (Rs) medical bills demanded by the hospital before releasing the body.
• 79-year-old patient, Babanrao Khokarale, who went missing in August 2020.
• 6 doctors booked for culpable homicide, medical negligence, forgery, and violations of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.
• 304, 341, 342, 352, 406, 420, 463, 465, 468, 471, 191, 192, 196, 197, 198, 201, 120B, and 297 sections of the Indian Penal Code.
• 18, 19, and 20 sections of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.

Sources:

• "Six doctors booked for culpable homicide in Ahmednagar Covid-19 scandal" by HT Digital Content Services, Hindustan Times.