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COVID-19

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

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A probe into the disappearance of a 79-year-old patient in Ahmednagar during the Covid-19 pandemic has led to the registration of a case against six doctors for culpable homicide, medical negligence, forgery, and violations of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994. The case was filed by Ashok Babanrao Khokarale, whose father, Babanrao Khokarale, was admitted to a Covid care centre in August 2020 for minor throat pain and constipation. Despite initial normal reports, doctors allegedly kept him under observation, shifted him to a hospital without informing the family, and later claimed he had tested positive for Covid-19, contradicting the earlier negative report. The family was told of his death and demanded to know the whereabouts of the body, only to find it missing. After repeated complaints, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court directed the police to register an FIR, which was filed on October 16, 2021.

Key Takeaways:

  • Six doctors - Dr Gopal Bahurupi, Dr Sudhir Borkar, Dr Sachin Pandule, Dr Akshaydeep Zaware, Dr Mukund Tandle, and an unidentified laboratory expert - have been booked for culpable homicide, medical negligence, forgery, and violations of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.
  • The case was registered on October 16, 2021, after the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court directed the police to do so in compliance with its order on October 15.
  • The doctors allegedly kept Babanrao Khokarale under observation despite initial normal reports, shifted him to a hospital without informing the family, and later claimed he had tested positive for Covid-19, contradicting the earlier negative report.
  • The family had to pay Rs.1.84 lakh in medical bills before being told of Babanrao's death, only to find the body missing.
  • A committee appointed by the district civil surgeon confirmed multiple lapses and misconduct by the doctors.
  • An FIR has been registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) among other relevant sections.

Statistics:

  • Rs.1.84 lakh: The amount demanded by the hospital in medical bills before releasing the body of Babanrao Khokarale.
  • October 15, 2021: The date on which the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court directed the police to register an FIR.
  • October 16, 2021: The date on which the FIR was filed by the police.
  • 79: The age of Babanrao Khokarale at the time of his disappearance.
  • 47: The age of Ashok Babanrao Khokarale, the son who filed the complaint.

Sources:

  • "Six doctors booked for culpable homicide in Ahmednagar Covid-19 scandal", The Hindustan Times, October 20, 2021.
  • HT Mumbai, "High Court Directs Police to Register FIR in Ahmednagar Covid-19 Case".

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