Mob attacks hospital after patient’s death in Pune

An irate mob allegedly attacked doctors and staff at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Jehangir Hospital on Friday night.

According to a press statement issued by the hospital, the incident took place at 11.30 pm following the death of Abdul Mujjawar (43), who succumbed to severe head and internal injuries suffered in a car crash at Kurkumbh. He was admitted to the hospital 10 days ago and was in a serious condition, on ventilator support in the intensive care unit (ICU).

“About 45 minutes after his relatives were informed about his demise, a mob in excess of 100 entered the hospital premises and targeted the ICU, reception and telephone operating staff. The intensivist in the ICU was slapped and hit on the face and, dragged around in the ICU. The group split into two, one group abused staffers and another pulled out phone lines to prevent the staff from calling for help,” said a spokesperson.

Calling the attack well-planned and pre-mediated, the hospital claimed that the mob damaged property in the ICU and reception areas.

“The relatives threatened nurses with dire consequences unless they wrapped up the body. They took away the body forcibly, without documentation, but returned shortly and forced the doctor in the ICU to issue a death certificate,” said the spokesperson.

The hospital claims to have closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage of the incident and has filed a complaint at the Bund Garden police station in this regard and also met Meeran Chadha Borwankar, commissioner of police.

The spokesperson claimed a bill of Rs5 lakh was pending for payment, which relatives did not clear while taking the body and which might have been the reason for attack.

UN Sonawane, senior police inspector, Bund Garden police station confirmed a case had been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and under Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of Property) Ordinance, 2009. “No arrests have been made so far,” he added.