FIR filed against doctor, St John's Hospital after burn victim's kin allege money extortion

Bengaluru: In response to allegations about demanding money from the parents of a victim who succumbed to his injuries in the Attibele firecracker godown fire case, an FIR has been registered against St John’s Medical College Hospital in Bengaluru and a resident doctor in connection with the case.

The accusations involve the supposed request made by the St. John's Hospital doctor for payment from the victim's parents in return for better medical treatment and recovery of the patient.

The deceased identified as Venkatesh was the victim of the Attibele firecracker godown fire who had gone to Sri Balaji Traders to buy crackers with his friend when the fire started on October 7. Venkatesh was injured and was being treated at St John’s Hospital.

The victim had succumbed to burn injuries on Thursday at the hospital, and his family refused to accept his body demanding action against the hospital and the doctor. However, they withdrew their demand after Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner KA Dayanand's intervention.

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After his death, his parents alleged that the hospital administration along with the doctor had forced them to pay money for their boy to get treatment. They claimed that the hospital failed to provide proper treatment to their boy and sought money from them.

The matter escalated significantly as a result of the government's prior declaration to bear the medical expenses of the injured, thereby ensuring that the victims would receive free healthcare. In addition, the hospital was also notified of the government's decision. However, the doctor at the hospital is alleged to have asked the victim's parents for money.

Following this, a complaint was lodged by the Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner with Koramangala Police, and subsequently, an FIR was registered against the doctor and the hospital under IPC section 384 (extortion). An investigation into the case is underway.

Denying the allegations, Dr Arvind Kasthuri, chief of medical services at St John’s Medical College Hospital told TOI "No money was collected from patients after the chief minister announced support.

Dr. Kasthuri clarified the circumstances that occurred during their efforts to obtain skin grafts for the victim. It was emphasized that the resident doctor had only shared information about possible sources, without requesting any payment.

“It is very discouraging for the team to suffer this kind of persecution when they are working day and night to save the lives of people in their care. We will face this and prove our innocence,” said Dr Kasthuri.

The hospital officials clarifed that no money was collected after the CM’s announcement. Any money taken before that is being refunded to the patients’ bank accounts as per procedure.

The hospital said it was initially unsuccessful in procuring skin from Victoria Hospital for grafting on Venkatesh and started trying with other skin banks, one of which is in Mumbai. When Venkatesh’s sister was being counselled about his condition, the resident doctor showed details about the Mumbai skin bank on his phone.

“In the same message (on the phone), it was written that the cost of the skin was Rs 40,000. This message was photographed by the patient’s sister... To our great relief, we obtained skin from Victoria and it was used for grafting on Venkatesh,” the hospital claimed.

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