PGI told to release balance Rs 3.5 lakh relief to parents

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi, has ordered the PGI, Chandigarh, to release the balance relief of Rs 3.5 lakh to Anupama’s parents, who died due to negligence and delay on the part of the PGI authorities in treating her after her leg was crushed under a CTU bus, which she had boarded.

The PGI had already paid Rs 13.5 lakh to her parents. On May 21, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi, had pronounced orders holding that Anupama’s parents were entitled to a total compensation of Rs 20 lakh, out of which the CTU had already given them Rs 3 lakh granted against it and the balance amount of Rs 17 lakh was to be paid by the PGI.

On July 17, 2012, Anupama (16), after the accident, was taken to the PGI Advance Trauma Centre, where she 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. During the operation, she went into a shock and never recovered. She died at the PGI on July 24, 2014.

Thereafter, the PGI first conducted an internal inquiry which absolved its doctors of any negligence. But after the public outcry, an external inquiry was constituted which held the PGI doctors guilty of delay in operating Anupama and also suggested many remedial measures so that such incidents did not happen again.