The Chandigarh Police have filed a chargesheet against Dr Parminder Singh of Landmark Hospital, Sector 33, in connection with the death of Amarjit Kaur, an elderly woman who died allegedly due to medical negligence. The chargesheet was filed under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to causing death by negligence.
Details of the Case
The case was registered on December 18, 2024, based on a complaint by Sukhwinder, the son of the deceased. According to the complaint, Amarjit Kaur suffered a fractured femur on March 16, 2024, and underwent surgery at Landmark Hospital. Her condition deteriorated a week after the operation, with her sodium levels falling drastically. Despite this, the hospital management did not re-admit her when she returned for follow-up care.
Sukhwinder alleged that the hospital merely prescribed some medication and sent his mother back home. The next day, her health worsened, leading to her admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a government hospital. Despite conducting all necessary tests and administering medications, her seizures could not be controlled. The government hospital doctors then advised an urgent MRI scan, but the scan could not be performed because the hospital failed to specify whether the surgical implant placed in her body was MRI-compatible. The hospital did not provide the necessary certificate even after the family visited in person. Due to the lack of this certificate, the MRI could not take place, and Amarjit Kaur passed away on April 16, 2024.
Investigation and Chargesheet
The police filed the chargesheet based on the report of a medical negligence committee and the opinion of doctors from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI). The chargesheet lists 21 persons as witnesses. Dr Parminder Singh was accused of professional negligence during treatment and failing to provide critical medical records after the patient’s condition worsened.
Legal Implications
Section 304A of the IPC deals with causing death by a rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide. If convicted, the doctor could face imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both. This case highlights the importance of medical record-keeping and the consequences of negligence in healthcare settings.
