2014 Medical Negligence Case: Five doctors booked over patient's death

Mumbai: After a delay of 12 years, Mumbai police have registered an FIR against five doctors over alleged medical negligence, delayed treatment, and destruction of crucial medical records in connection with the death of a 23-year-old man.

According to news reports, the accused include three doctors from Millennium Hospital in Shivajinagar and two doctors from Sai Group of Hospitals in Chembur.

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According to the FIR, the complaint was filed by the victim’s mother, who alleged that her son, a junior artist in the film and television industry, died due to negligent treatment after a road accident on April 8, 2014. The victim had suffered a serious fracture in his right thigh when his motorcycle was hit by a pickup vehicle on the Ahmedabad Highway near Vasai.

He was initially taken to a nearby hospital and later shifted to Millennium Hospital, where doctors allegedly demanded a deposit of Rs 25,000 before conducting surgery. The complaint states that the surgery, performed by a doctor there, led to excessive blood loss and that there was inadequate medical staff to monitor him post-operation. His condition reportedly worsened over time.

After a few days, doctors at Millennium Hospital reportedly informed the family that blood transfusion facilities were unavailable. They advised them to shift him to Sai Group of Hospitals in Chembur.

At Sai Hospital, the patient reportedly developed complications, including fluid in the chest and signs of kidney failure. He was placed on ventilator support, but died on May 17, 2014. Doctors recorded the cause of death as septicemia, leading to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) following post-operative complications.

Although the death was recorded as natural, the family grew suspicious over time. No post-mortem examination was conducted, as it had been declined by the family at the time.

Over the years, the complainant pursued the case persistently, approaching senior police officials, the state medical council, and public health authorities. A key allegation in the FIR is that both hospitals failed to provide complete medical documentation despite repeated requests, raising concerns that vital records may have been destroyed.

Information obtained through RTI further revealed that Millennium Hospital was allegedly operating without proper registration under the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act, 1949. The civic body had also taken action against the hospital in 2018 and again in 2024. The delay in obtaining expert medical opinion from Sir JJ Hospital due to missing documents reportedly stalled the case for years. In 2015, the complainant even filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking justice, reports Free Press Journal.

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Following the receipt of a medical opinion, Mumbai police have now registered the FIR and begun further investigation. The complainant stated, “I have nothing left today. I only seek justice for my son and strict action against those responsible.”