Hospital 'negligence' kills victim

Brought to Safdarjung after accident, he had to wait a day for CT scan

A middle-aged man succumbed to injuries, that occured after his cycle was rammed from behind by a speeding car, at Delhi Cantonment in south-west Delhi on Wednesday.

His relatives allege that he died due to negligence on the part of Safdarjung Hospital authorities.

Victim Khushi Ram, 50, was a resident of Kailashpuri in Palam Colony and worked with the Central Public Works Department as a labourer.

He was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday after a Maruti Alto car driven by Omwati Grewal hit him near Dhaula Kuan bus stand around 5:45 pm.

“After receiving information about the accident, a team from Subroto Park police station rushed to the spot and took him to the hospital. He, however, passed away around 4 pm on Wednesday,” a police official said.

His relatives alleged that he was shifted from the emergency ward to general ward, and was not provided proper treatment.

“Doctors were waiting for a CT Scan to be conducted. But despite being the victim of an accident, he was given an appointment for 4 pm on Wednesday. He died due to negligence at the hospital,” a relative said.

When contacted, the Safdarjung Hospital spokesperson S N Makwana said he does not have sufficient information about the incident or about the allegations by Khushi’s relatives. 

A case under sections 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code was initially registered against Omwati.

“However, after Khushi’s death, the charge may be converted to causing death by negligence. We have preserved the body for a post-mortem,” the official added.

Khushi, who hailed from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, was presently posted at a judge’s residence at Krishna Menon Marg. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a seven-year-old son.