Tragedy at Meerut Hospital: Patient Dies Amid Alleged Medical Negligence
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh – In a deeply disturbing incident that has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, a road accident victim bled to death in a government hospital while doctors allegedly slept nearby, ignoring desperate pleas for medical attention. The patient, identified as Sunil, succumbed to his injuries early Tuesday morning at the Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College (LLRM), a major medical facility in the region.
Sunil was brought to the hospital by police on Monday evening after he was injured in a road accident. Security footage and eyewitness accounts reveal that the man was left unattended in the emergency ward for an extended period, crying out in pain and bleeding from his leg. During this time, two junior doctors assigned to the ward were caught on video sleeping, seemingly indifferent to the patient’s deteriorating condition.
Viral Video Sparks Outrage
A video recorded by a bystander quickly went viral on social media, further fueling public anger. In the footage, one doctor is seen sleeping in front of an air conditioner, with one leg stretched across a table. A woman holding a child and a prescription attempts to wake him, apparently seeking help for Sunil, who is lying nearby with blood visibly pouring from his injured leg.
Sunil’s family has accused the doctors of gross negligence, claiming that valuable time was lost while the on-duty staff ignored his worsening condition. “He kept crying for help, begging them to stop the bleeding, but no one came,” said one relative. “They were fast asleep while my brother bled to death.”
Action Taken Against Doctors
Following the emergence of the video and growing public pressure, the hospital suspended two junior doctors identified as Bhupesh Kumar Rai and Aniket. Dr. RC Gupta, Principal of LLRM Medical College, confirmed the suspensions and stated that a formal inquiry is underway. “A viral video shows a junior doctor sleeping while a patient kept asking for help. Two doctors have been suspended from duty, and the investigation is ongoing,” Dr. Gupta said in a statement.
The hospital’s duty-in-charge at the time, Dr. Shashank Jindal, was reportedly not present during the incident. However, during an internal inquiry, Dr. Jindal claimed that he responded as soon as he was informed of the situation. According to his account, he administered intravenous fluids and applied a cast in an effort to stabilize Sunil. Despite these measures, Sunil was pronounced dead at around 7 a.m. the following morning.
Contrasting Narratives
The family strongly believes that the delay in treatment directly caused Sunil’s death. “If they had acted even ten minutes earlier, he might still be alive,” said another family member.
In contrast, Dr. Jindal and other hospital officials assert that Sunil was in a critical condition when he arrived and that the staff did what they could under the circumstances. “We understand the family’s grief, but the patient was already very serious when brought in,” said Dr. Jindal.
District Authorities Step In
With the controversy gaining attention at the state level, the Meerut District Magistrate has been directed to carry out an independent investigation. District authorities have promised a thorough probe to determine if the allegations of medical negligence are substantiated and whether criminal charges should follow.
Health and human rights organizations have condemned the incident, calling it another grim example of the healthcare system’s shortcomings in government-run institutions. Advocacy groups are urging state health officials to introduce stricter protocols for emergency ward staffing and patient care.
Public Response and Calls for Reform
The incident has triggered an outpouring of anger on social media, with many calling for stronger accountability mechanisms in public hospitals. “Doctors are meant to save lives, not sleep through emergencies,” one user posted. The video has sparked a broader discussion about overworked medical staff, inadequate supervision, and systemic failure in emergency response.
As the investigation continues, Sunil’s grieving family hopes that justice will be served—not only for their loss but to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
