Raipur: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC), Chhattisgarh, has upheld a compensation award of over ₹16 lakh against a Raipur-based hospital after finding contradictions in its defence and serious lapses in patient care.
The case dates back to 2010 when the complainant’s husband was admitted to the hospital between December 18 and 24 for laser surgery on his urinary tract. The patient, who had earlier sustained injuries in a 2008 road accident, was declared fully recovered at discharge. However, on December 26, he developed severe pain and was rushed back to the hospital. According to the complaint filed by his wife, doctors administered an injection and began examining him, but his condition worsened rapidly, leading to his death.
When the matter reached the District Consumer Commission in Raipur, the hospital initially claimed that the patient had been brought in dead and denied negligence. However, during cross-examination, the treating doctors admitted to administering an injection in an attempt to revive him, contradicting the hospital’s earlier stand. The commission also noted that the hospital failed to provide crucial medical records despite repeated requests, interpreting this as a deliberate attempt to withhold information.
The District Commission had directed the hospital to pay ₹15 lakh as compensation, ₹1 lakh for mental anguish, and ₹10,000 as litigation costs, along with 6% interest. The State Commission has now upheld this order and strongly criticised the hospital for its inconsistent defence and lack of transparency.
