Daijiworld Media Network - Muzaffarpur

Muzaffarpur, Feb 13: An undertrial inmate lodged at Shaheed Khudiram Bose Central Jail died during treatment on Friday, triggering allegations of medical negligence and laxity by security personnel from his family.

The deceased has been identified as Pappu Mahto (32), son of Bhutkun Mahto and a resident of Ward 13 in Sikandarpur. According to family members, he had surrendered before a court on February 5 after his bail was cancelled in connection with an old case related to consumption of smack. Following the court’s order, he was sent to jail.

His brother Raja Kumar said Pappu had been undergoing treatment earlier and was sent back to jail two days ago after being discharged from hospital. However, his condition reportedly deteriorated again on Thursday, following which he was brought to Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) around 8 pm on the directions of the jail administration.

Family members claimed that he had previously been treated at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna. When his health worsened, they requested that he be referred again to IGIMS, but the referral was allegedly denied.
Doctors at SKMCH reportedly advised that he be admitted to the ICU, but due to non-availability of beds, he was shifted to the general ward instead.

The family alleged that a constable on duty handcuffed Pappu to the hospital bed and then fell asleep. They claimed that when his condition worsened during the night, no timely attention was given despite his mother’s repeated pleas for help. It was only after a commotion broke out that he was taken on a trolley to the emergency ward, where doctors declared him dead.

Relatives alleged that timely and appropriate medical treatment could have saved his life.

Police personnel deployed at the hospital maintained that the inmate was immediately taken to the emergency ward when his condition deteriorated, but he had died before reaching there. The incident was reported to the jail authorities.

The jail administration appointed a magistrate and conducted the post-mortem examination, with the entire process videographed. The magistrate also recorded statements of the family members. After the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the relatives.

The incident has raised serious questions over the functioning of both jail and hospital authorities. An investigation is underway.