Ludhiana hospital’s body withholding sparks human rights probe
The commission has directed the Director Health Services, Punjab, and Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, to submit a report by May 15
The Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a private hospital in Ludhiana withholding Gagandeep Singh’s (31) body over pending medical dues. The commission has directed the Director Health Services, Punjab, and Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, to submit a report by May 15.
Dr Kamaljeet Soi, who raised the issue, called the act a “blatant violation of human dignity and constitutional guarantees”. He said hospitals can’t detain dead bodies for dues, citing court rulings. “Hospitals cannot withhold dead bodies for recovery of dues; such remedy lies in civil proceedings, not coercion.” He urged the commission to take action against the erring hospital as per law.
The family of Gagandeep, who was undergoing treatment for a kidney-related ailment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC), Ludhiana, had alleged on March 28 that the hospital authorities refused to hand over his body due to unpaid bills of Rs 1.16 lakh.
