National consumer commission hikes relief amount to Rs 20 lakh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

In a major relief to the distraught parents of Anupama, who died due to alleged negligence of the PGI in 2012, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi, has enhanced the compensation amount awarded to the victim’s parents by Rs 10 lakh.

A Bench comprising Justice VB Gupta and Dr Suresh Chandra pronounced the orders in the open court today holding that Anupama’s parents are entitled to a total compensation of Rs 20 lakh, of which the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has already given the Rs 3 lakh granted against it while the balance amount of Rs 17 lakh is to be paid by the PGI.

The national commission has enhanced the compensation by Rs 10 lakh in addition to the Rs 7 lakh granted against the PGI by the state commission, Chandigarh. The appeal filed by the PGI challenging the orders of the state commission, UT, has been dismissed as devoid of any merit.

In April 2013, the Sate Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, had ordered the PGI and the CTU to pay Rs 7 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, respectively, to the parents of 16-year-old Anupama, who died at the premier institute in July 2012. An appeal was filed to enhance the compensation amount before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

It was contended by advocate Pankaj Chandghotia that Anupama was the only daughter and her parents were rendered childless due to the negligence of the PGI. The external inquiry conducted by the PGI, in its report submitted in August 2012, said Anupama should have been given priority for the operation.

On the other hand, the PGI challenged the orders in appeal and prayed for the dismissal of the complaint. It was also contended that if the PGI was unable to operate upon her timely, it should have referred Anupama to some other hospital. He said Anupama developed gangrene and sepsis during her stay in the hospital which itself proved that proper care was not taken by PGI doctors.

Case background

Anupama, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, died as a result of negligence and delay on the part of the PGI authorities in treating her after she suffered a leg fracture after being crushed under a CTU bus. On July 17, 2012, after the accident, she was taken to the PGI Advanced Trauma Centre and was to be operated upon immediately. However, the operation was delayed and Anupama developed gangrene and sepsis, which ultimately led to the amputation of her leg on July 20, 2012. She went into a shock during the operation and never recovered. She died at the PGI on July 24.

Parents satisfied

Our daughter won’t return to us; the accident and the PGI’s neglect have shattered our lives. We are happy to see that the national commission has held the institute guilty and we are satisfied with the order. Amit Sarkar, anupama’s father