A shocking case of alleged negligence has emerged from Ludhiana, where the body of a deceased woman went missing from a hospital mortuary, prompting urgent intervention from the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC). The commission has now demanded detailed reports from top district and police officials, seeking answers in a matter that has raised serious questions about hospital administration and security protocols.
Commission Takes Suo Motu Cognizance, Seeks Swift Answers
The Punjab State Human Rights Commission acted swiftly upon learning about the incident. Taking suo motu cognizance based on media reports, the PSHRC has issued notices to several high-ranking officials. They have been directed to submit their findings by the next hearing scheduled for May 7, 2024.
The officials summoned include the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, the Commissioner of Police, the Principal Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, and the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. The commission's proactive step underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a transparent investigation.
Details of the Disturbing Incident
The case revolves around Sunita Rani, a resident of Haibowal in Ludhiana. According to reports, Sunita Rani was admitted to the Civil Hospital after falling seriously ill. Tragically, she passed away during treatment. Her body was then transferred to the hospital's mortuary for preservation, a standard procedure while family members make arrangements for the last rites.
However, in a bewildering turn of events, when the family arrived to claim the body, they were informed that it was missing from the mortuary. The disappearance caused immense anguish and distress to the grieving relatives, who were already coping with the loss of a loved one. The incident points to a severe lapse in the security and management of the hospital's mortuary facility.
Accountability and Next Steps
The PSHRC's intervention shifts the focus squarely onto accountability. The reports sought from the Deputy Commissioner and the Police Commissioner will likely cover the status of the police investigation into the missing body. Simultaneously, the reports from the Health Department and the hospital's SMO are expected to detail the internal administrative lapses and the existing security measures at the mortuary.
This incident is not just a case of a missing body; it strikes at the heart of human dignity and the rights of the deceased and their family. The commission's hearing on May 7 will be a critical juncture to assess the explanations provided by the authorities and to determine what corrective and punitive actions are necessary.
The case has sent shockwaves through the local community in Ludhiana and has highlighted a distressing vulnerability in a system meant to care for people even after death. All eyes are now on the upcoming reports and the commission's subsequent orders to ensure such a harrowing incident is never repeated.
