Tirunelveli: A doctor at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH) has been accused of falsely implicating a road accident victim by recording that his breath smelled of alcohol, allegedly to shield a health department staff member involved in the accident.
Victim’s Allegations
The 31-year-old victim, Sundararaj, from Murappanadu, Thoothukudi, claimed that on August 26, 2024, he was critically injured when a health department staffer’s car hit him. Instead of the perpetrator facing consequences, the attending doctor at TvMCH allegedly manipulated the medical report, which led to the police filing a case against him.
- Sundararaj asserted that he was not intoxicated at the time of the accident.
- He demanded his blood test report to prove his innocence, but the hospital denied access.
- Despite filing an RTI application, the administration refused to provide the blood test results.
- After receiving inadequate treatment at TvMCH, his family shifted him to a private hospital in Madurai, spending ₹17 lakh on recovery.
Impact of the Alleged Cover-up
- Sundararaj, the sole breadwinner of his family, was left financially and physically devastated.
- Instead of investigating the health staff member responsible for the accident, the Tirunelveli police registered a case against him, citing the fabricated medical report.
- Upon recovering in November 2024, he attempted to retrieve his vehicle but was denied by the police, who claimed he was intoxicated.
Hospital’s Response
When contacted, TvMCH Dean Dr. C Revathy Balan stated she would order an inquiry into the allegations. However, Sundararaj claimed that the dean refused to meet him and denied him access to his blood test report under the RTI Act.
Seeking Justice
In his petition to District Collector Dr. K P Karthikeyan, Sundararaj has demanded:
- Action against the doctor for fabricating medical records.
- Justice for the cover-up that led to false accusations against him.
- Accountability of the health department staffer who allegedly caused the accident.
The case has raised serious concerns about medical ethics and police accountability, prompting calls for an independent investigation.
