In a delayed but significant development, the Naupada police in Thane have registered an FIR against a doctor and staff of a private hospital for alleged medical negligence leading to the death of a 51-year-old woman in 2017.
The FIR was filed on March 14, 2026, nearly nine years after the incident, following sustained legal efforts by the victim’s family and findings from both a consumer court and a government medical inquiry.
According to the complaint, the woman was taken to a private hospital near Teen Hath Naka in Thane on April 16, 2017, after she complained of chest pain, dizziness, and excessive sweating—symptoms commonly associated with cardiac distress.
Despite the seriousness of her condition:
No doctor was immediately available at the hospital
She was not examined promptly
Essential diagnostic tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), were not conducted
Instead, she was reportedly treated by hospital staff and given injections without a proper medical evaluation.
Her condition worsened later that day. After being administered another injection in the evening, she collapsed and was declared dead shortly thereafter, the complaint stated.
Following the death, the family pursued legal action. In 2019, the complainant approached the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, alleging negligence in treatment.
After prolonged proceedings, the commission in September 2025 ruled in favour of the complainant, holding the hospital accountable for deficiency in service.
Subsequently, a probe conducted by the district civil surgeon found that the patient had not received appropriate or timely treatment, reinforcing allegations of medical negligence.
The findings indicated that standard emergency care protocols were not followed in managing a patient presenting with cardiac symptoms.
Based on the inquiry and court findings, the Naupada police registered a case against the concerned doctor and hospital staff.
A police official confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to determine individual roles and fix criminal liability in the case.
The case underscores the prolonged legal challenges faced by families in pursuing medical negligence claims in India. From the woman’s death in 2017 to the filing of an FIR in 2026, the nearly decade-long delay reflects systemic hurdles in securing accountability.
(Rh/ARC)