Family alleges hospital withheld body due to pending insurance formalities; PMC seeks explanation within 24 hours
Jehangir Hospital has come under scrutiny after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) issued a show-cause notice over allegations that the hospital delayed handing over the body of a deceased patient because of pending bill and insurance-related formalities.
According to reports, the patient, a resident of Munjaba Vasti in Dhanori, Pune, was admitted to the hospital on May 16 around 10 am and died later that night at approximately 11:05 pm while undergoing treatment.
The patient’s family alleged that despite having insurance coverage, the hospital demanded an initial deposit of Rs 50,000 at the time of admission. They further claimed that the hospital generated a bill of nearly Rs 3.25 lakh within around 13 hours of treatment.
Relatives also accused the hospital of not immediately releasing the body after the patient’s death and alleged that it was retained until insurance-related procedures were completed, forcing the family to wait overnight.
PMC cites Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act provisions
PMC officials stated that the hospital’s actions could amount to violations under the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949, along with a Maharashtra government notification dated January 14, 2021.
Officials specifically referred to Rule 11(L), which mandates that the body of a deceased patient must be handed over to relatives without undue delay.
Speaking on the matter, PMC Assistant Health Officer Dr. Suryakant Devkar said the civic body has sought clarification from the hospital regarding the incident.
“We issued a show-cause notice to the private hospital seeking information. It could be a miscommunication, but we want them to explain. We have also asked the relatives to provide details about their side of the story,” he said.
Hospital denies allegations, says body kept in mortuary on family’s request
Responding to the allegations, Jehangir Hospital denied wrongdoing and said it would submit a formal reply to the notice issued by the PMC.
In its statement, the hospital said the patient died around midnight and that the body was kept in the mortuary overnight to support the family. The hospital also claimed that the body was handed over the following morning as per the family’s request.
The hospital further stated that the insurance process was expedited during the difficult time and that financial concessions and discounts were provided to assist the family.
PMC gives 24-hour deadline for response
According to reports, the PMC has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the hospital to respond to the notice. Civic officials warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could lead to action under the provisions of the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act.
