Thiru Justice M.S. Janarthanam, President—One K.N. Subramanian (since deceased) was an employee of Neyveli Lignite Corporation. One Mrs. Madhavi (1st complainant) and Mrs. Dhanabakiam (2nd complainant) are respectively his wife and mother while minor Kalpana (3rd complainant) and minor Shanbhagam (4th complainant) are his daughters.

2. The 1st opposite party is the Chairman, Apollo Hospital, Greams Road, Chennai-6. The 2nd opposite party is one Dr. Rangabashyam, Ramana Surgical Clinic, 38, Venkatnarayan Road, T. Nagar, Chennai-17.

3. The aforesaid K.N. Subramaniam was under trauma of heavy sweating, shivering besides being unable to consume any food. He was admitted at Apollo Hospital of the 1st opposite party on 14.2.1998 and after certain initial treatment having been given to him, he was discharged on 18.2.1998. He developed, it is said, a severe pain in his spinal cord area and his weight terribly came down from 62 kgs. to 45 kgs. and he was again admitted in the said Apollo Hospital from 14.3.1998 to 1.4.1998. He was said to have been admitted as an inpatient in the said hospital for a period of 15 days without any effective treatment and thereafter he was referred to one