Missing Kidney In Dead Body A 'Mystery', Punjab & Haryana High Court Directs Police Commissioner To Probe Allegations Against Doctors, Hospital

In a startling case involving a missing kidney from a deceased person's body, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Police Commissioner of Punjab's Ludhiana to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations leveled against the doctors and the hospital involved. 

As per the allegations, the 22-year-girl was admitted to Ludhiana's HMC Hospital for surgery but passed away after her condition deteriorated. According to the medical records, the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to being COVID-positive. However, based on suspicion, a complaint was filed, and during the autopsy, it was discovered that the deceased's left kidney was missing.

Justice Kuldeep Tiwari said, "Prima facie, this Court is of the view that, the medical report (supra) is totally silent on one of the vital issues appertaining to deceased's missing kidney. Moreover, this Court does not find any document indicating that, this issue was ever referred to any expert for analysis. It is not under dispute, rather it is clearly voiced in the post-mortem report that, the left kidney of the deceased was not traceable."

The Court remarked that, "the truth behind this missing kidney is yet a mystery" was never investigated into and it needs to be ascertained if there is any criminality to the case.

The plea was filed by Mangat Ram Sharma whose daughter Tanya Sharma was admitted in the HMC Hospital, Ludhiana, on June 01, 2021 for surgery.

The surgery was performed on June 02, 2021 by one Dr. Vyom Bhargava, Spine Brain Surgeon, along with other doctors. Thereafter, another surgery was conducted on the deceased on June 07, 2021. However, the condition of the deceased kept on deteriorating and unfortunately she passed away on 16.06.2021 at the hospital.

The petitioner reported the matter to the police and on the basis of his complaint, an autopsy of the deceased was conducted.

The post-mortem report made "shocking revelations" that, the left kidney of the deceased was missing. This revelations fortified the suspicion of the petitioner regarding medical negligence and criminal act on the part of the treating doctors, the Court noted.

Perusing the medical report, the Court said "Although the medical board has explained the possible reason of deceased's death, however, there is no clear observation as to whether the treating doctor(s) conducted any medical negligence."

Consequently, the Court directed the Police Commissioner to forthwith look into the matter.

While listing the matter to September 30, the Court said, "It is open for the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana to constitute an S.I.T. and to take the assistance of subject experts to conclude the inquiry."

Mr. R,S. Ghuman, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Sahil R. Bakshi, A.A.G., Punjab.

Mr. Sunny K. Singla, Advocate for the respondent No.6.

 Title: MANGAT RAM SHARMA v. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS