Human Rights Commission orders Rs 5 lakh compensation to patient trapped in medical college lift for 42 hours
compensation
Thiruvananthapuram: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Kerala, recently directed the State Government to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to a patient who was trapped inside a lift at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) for 42 hours.
In the order, SHRC Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas directed that the compensation be paid to the patient, who hails from Pongumoodu, within two months. Further, the Commission mentioned in the order that the Government may subsequently recover the amount from those responsible, in accordance with the law.
The concerned incident took place in July 2025, since the life, even though it was malfunctioning, had not been locked or marked with a warning sign.
SHRC took suo motu cognisance of the matter based on media reports, and the concerned patient had also filed a separate complaint in respect to the incident. The Commission noted that there was no dispute among the authorities regarding the fact that the patient was trapped in the lift from 11.15 am on July 13, 2025, until 6 am on July 15, 2025. It also observed that there was no warning sign that marked the lift as malfunctioning and the lift was not locked as well.
The inquiry report revealed that the lift malfunctioned frequently and continued to break down even after repairs, warranting greater caution. The Commission observed that such an incident was particularly serious, considering that thousands of patients visit the medical college daily. It also noted that the victim survived "only due to sheer luck".
As per the latest media report by Onmanorama, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) observed in its order that "There was grave dereliction of duty and serious negligence on the part of the officials concerned, and the life of the patient could have been lost."
Further, the Commission mentioned in the order that if lapses are found on the part of the company having the responsibility for servicing the lift, the Government is free to initiate legal action against it.
Justice Alexander Thomas has also issued directions for submitting a compliance report after paying the compensation to the patient. SHRC has also ordered the superintendent of the Thiruvananthapuram MCH to provide all the necessary treatment to the concerned patient free of cost, for the physical and mental trauma suffered due to the incident.
It also directed that the services of a clinical psychologist should also be made available if required.
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