The son of a Central Coalfields engineer on Monday lodged a general diary at Ormanjhi thana against four doctors of Medanta hospital, accusing them of gross medical negligence and holding them directly responsible for his father’s death.

Ghanshyam Kumar Singh, 55, a mechanical engineer at CCL’s Dakra Colliery in Burmu block of Ranchi, was admitted to the super-speciality private hospital with hypoglycaemia on September 22. He died around 9am on Monday and, according to son Abinash Kumar, owing to shoddy medical attention and no life support.

While police have acted on the complaint and sent Singh’s body to RIMS for an autopsy, Medanta has denied allegations levelled against its doctors.

In his written complaint to police, the bereaved son has said that Singh — a diabetic for seven years — was referred to the private heal hub from Central Hospital, run by the PSU in Gandhinagar, after the latter’s blood sugar level plummeted, which is a common side effect of insulin shots.

“My father was admitted to the ICU, but treatment was still poor. Doctors reacted only when I made my observations heard. For instance, they confirmed jaundice only when I told them that my father’s eyes were yellow. He was not put on life support when he needed it. My father died bleeding from the nose, ears and mouth,” Abinash said.

The 24-year-old added that the incident was one of criminal neglect on the part of four doctors who attended to his father at Medanta. “A murder case must be registered,” Abinash stressed.

Ormanjhi thana OC inspector Santosh Kumar confirmed that a complaint had been registered against one Dr Vishal, Dr Tapas, Dr Pranan and Dr Ghanshyam Singh.

“We have lodged a station diary (not an FIR yet) and begun investigations. The autopsy report will help us take further action, if any,” the officer said.

Public relations officer of Medanta Javed Ansari rubbished the allegations. “The patient (Singh) was acutely diabetic. His kidneys were damaged. So was his liver. He was admitted under Dr Ghanshyam Singh. All possible efforts were made to save the patient, but he did not make it. Our doctors are not to blame; the cause of death is clear,” Ansari said.

He added that police took the body for post-mortem following requests from kin of the deceased. “We did not object to that because we know the truth and others must know it too.”

How can private hospitals be held more accountable? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com