Alice D'Souza dies, 'adopted son' refuses to pay hospital bills

Ninety-year-old Alice D’Souza, who was battling for life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Global Hospital at Matadakani near here for the last 32 days, passed away on Monday.

Incidentally, Assistant Commissioner Dr Ashok passed an order on Monday itself, attaching her property, which is in the name of Arun Bhat.

Alice had requested her ‘adopted son’ Arun Bhat to register her newly bought apartment at Matadakani in her name a few years ago. But he had registered the property in his name and Alice came to know about it very late.

About three months ago, Arun reportedly abandoned Alice, who took care of Arun, his wife and three sons for the last 25 years, and stayed separately, leaving Alice alone at home. When Alice fell sick on June 30, her neighbours admitted her to hospital.

Though Arun initially agreed to pay the hospital bills, he later made a U-turn forcing Alice to register a complaint with the Senior Citizen Helpline, which in turn filed a complaint before the assistant commissioner.

Assistant Commissioner Dr Ashok visited Alice in the ICU and recorded her statements and warned Arun to pay the bills, for which he had agreed.

However, later when the hospital manager Eshwar called Arun, he flatly refused to pay the bills, which has crossed Rs 3 lakh as on date.

“As Assistant Commissioner had ordered the hospital to give her best treatment, we did not compromise on the quality her treatment,” hospital Managing Director Dr Susheel Jathanna said.

As Arun has refused to pay the bills, the assistant commissioner told Deccan Herald that the apartment would be attached through an order.

Helpline Co-ordinator Lidwyn told Deccan Herald that it was unfortunate that Alice did not get justice before she breathed her last.

Arun is running a paying guest facility while his wife is working as a teacher in Sharada School.
DH News Service