Man dies after being thrashed by doctors

A 32-year-old man died on Monday after being allegedly thrashed by doctors of the Delhi government's Rao Tula Ram Memorial Hospital. The family of the deceased has filed a complaint with the Delhi Police.

According to the family, the doctors thrashed him in the hospital premises on Sunday evening, after which his health deteriorated which led to his death on Monday. The hospital authorities had also made a PCR call alleging misbehaviour on part of the family members.

Sonu Maniram had gone to the hospital on Sunday afternoon for the treatment of his physically handicapped wife Radhika. While Radhika was being treated, Sonu who was running out of patience seeing his ailing wife, who was screaming in the hospital to which the authorities objected. Poonam, Sonu's sister-in-law alleged that the doctors took him away to a cabin and thrashed him mercilessly. "After he came out of the room, he had shoe marks on his body. Later, a police officer also came and slapped him. If he was misbehaving, then they should have thrown him out of the hospital or called the police, but they shouldn't have thrashed him," said Poonam.

However, hospital authorities have refuted the allegations. "The man was drunk when he came to the hospital with his wife. During the treatment, he kept on abusing his wife. The nurses later complained about his behaviour. He was then taken to the nearest police station. Initial investigations reveal that he has died due to excessive drinking," said Dr Sangeeta Basu, medical superintendent of Rao Tula Ram Hospital.

Radhika was discharged on Sunday evening and even Sonu was let off. When Sonu reached home, he complained of severe stomach pain after which he was first rushed to a health Centre in Najafgarh during midnight and then to Rao Rao Tula Ram Hospital in the wee hours of Monday. "Doctors gave him injections and later stated that there is an internal injury and he needs to be operated for which he was referred to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for an operation but before he could be operated upon, he died," added Poonam.

Sonu is survived by his wife and two minor kids. The family demanded that strict action be taken against the accused and since Radhika has no support now or any financial aid, she should be given compensation. "We are probing the incident and awaiting the autopsy report," a senior police officer said.