Eleven individuals, including two doctors, found themselves under scrutiny on Monday following allegations that two individuals lost sight in one eye while 15 others experienced partial vision loss after undergoing cataract surgeries at Shri Ramanand Eye Hospital in Ahmedabad’s Mandal taluka on January 10.
The Gujarat High Court, prompted by a news report, initiated suo motu action on January 17, seeking a report from the Gujarat government regarding the incident. The court is scheduled to revisit the matter on Wednesday.
Among those booked by the Mandal police are Dr. Jaimin Pandey and Dr. Danubhai Dodia, who performed the surgeries, as well as operation theatre assistant Bharat Khuman, peon Ranchhod Parmar, and trustees of Shri Sevaniketan Trust, which oversees the hospital – Mani Patel, Narayan Dalwadi, Sankar Patel, Govind Panchal, Bhupendra Bhavsar, Jagdish Patel, and Manu Chavda.
Confirming the development, SP (Ahmedabad Rural) Megha Tevar informed The Indian Express, “The FIR was filed yesterday. We will report to the HC on Wednesday. The investigation is on.”
Vashrambhai Bharwad (60), a laborer from Rughnathpura village in Patan district, and Shantaben Rathod from Sitapur village in Mandal are the complainants in the case. Bharwad, who completely lost vision in one eye, recounted his experience, alleging that, following his deteriorating eyesight, he sought medical attention at Shri Ramanand Eye Hospital. Upon examination, Pandya and Dodiya purportedly recommended cataract surgery for his right eye.
According to Bharwad’s complaint, he and 28 others from various parts of the state underwent cataract surgeries on January 10. Following discharge, they were scheduled for a follow-up on January 13. However, on January 12, Bharwad noticed a decline in his vision and returned to the hospital, only to be instructed to come back the following day.
On January 13, Bharwad encountered 18 other patients with swollen and red eyes. They were provided medication and instructed to return on January 15. Yet, as Bharwad’s condition worsened, along with four others, they were referred to Ahmedabad Government Hospital.
At the government hospital, Bharwad was advised by doctors to undergo the removal of his infected right eye, a procedure which took place on February 2. Another patient, Shanta Rathod, also underwent the removal of her right eye. The FIR noted that despite lacking adequate facilities, Shri Ramanand Eye Hospital continued to operate under Sevaniketan Trust’s management.
The accused face charges under sections 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others by a rash and negligent act), 338 (causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 114 (abetter present when an offense is committed) of the Indian Penal Code.
