Doctor Demands Bribe for Child Autopsy in Chhattisgarh
Summary: A tragic incident in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district has sparked outrage after a doctor allegedly demanded a ₹10,000 bribe for post-mortems of two drowned children. Delays led to body decomposition, but public pressure forced action. The doctor was removed, and officials were suspended for negligence.
“The Bodies Started Smelling”: Bribe Delays Autopsy of Two Drowned Boys in Chhattisgarh
Did you know that government hospitals are mandated to conduct post-mortems free of cost? In a shocking violation of this rule, a contractual doctor in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district allegedly demanded ₹10,000 per body to perform autopsies on two drowned, five-year-old boys. This unethical demand not only delayed the post-mortems but also added to the trauma of the grieving families.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what happened, how the community responded, and what action was taken against the medical staff involved.
Let’s dive into the details of this disturbing incident.
Tragedy Turns Into Trauma in Surguja
The heart-wrenching incident occurred on a Sunday in Silsila Dhodha Jharia village, where two young cousins, Suraj Giri and Jugnu Giri, tragically drowned in a pond used for fish rearing. The boys were rushed to the Raghunathpur Primary Health Centre (PHC) on a motorcycle by their family, but were declared dead on arrival.
Bribe for a Government-Mandated Free Service?
According to reports, when the family returned the next morning to complete the required post-mortem formalities, they were stunned. The doctor on duty allegedly asked for a ₹10,000 bribe per body, despite the fact that post-mortems in government hospitals are free of charge.
One distraught family member shared with TOI:
“On Monday, we arrived at the hospital around 7 am. But the doctor arrived around 9.30 am. The bodies started smelling. When I asked the doctor, he told me that he would have done the post-mortem on Sunday, free of cost, as per govt rules, but it would now cost Rs 10,000 each.”
Delayed Justice: Decomposition Before Action
With the doctor refusing to conduct the autopsy without payment, the bodies were left unattended for nearly three hours, starting to decompose. The inaction deeply disturbed locals, who intervened and demanded accountability.
Thanks to their pressure, the autopsies were finally conducted later that day.
Government Steps In: Doctor Removed, Officials Suspended
The case gained media attention and caught the eye of state authorities. Acting swiftly, Surguja Collector Vitas Bhoskar launched an investigation into the bribery allegations.
Key actions taken:
- The contractual doctor was relieved of duties and directed to report to the Director of Health Services in Raipur.
- The Block Medical Officer (BMO) was suspended for negligence.
Initial inquiry confirmed violations of service rules and professional negligence.
A Collector’s Condolence and Compensation
Collector Bhoskar personally visited the bereaved families, offering condolences and announcing financial assistance of ₹4 lakh each under disaster management provisions. His visit aimed not just at damage control, but also to show support to the grieving parents.
Why This Incident Matters
This tragedy highlights serious ethical breaches and administrative failures in public healthcare. Bribes for essential medical procedures, especially involving deceased children, are not just illegal but inhuman.
Such events raise crucial questions:
- Are enough checks in place to prevent such misconduct?
- How accountable are our local health authorities?
Conclusion
The Surguja incident is a grim reminder of what happens when compassion is replaced by corruption. Thanks to community vigilance and media coverage, swift action was taken, but the trauma inflicted on the families can’t be undone.
As citizens, it’s important to
- Stay informed
- Raise our voices
- Ensure that no family has to pay a bribe for dignity in death
Inputs from various media sources.
Dane
I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.
