NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, NEW DELHI
Dr. S.M. Kantikar, Presiding Member
Rambriksha Prasad —Petitioner
versus
Dr. Mrs. Suniti Sinha —Respondent
Revision Petition No.3868 of 2017
(Against the Order dated 29/08/2017 in Appeal No. 7/2011 of the State Commission Bihar)
Decided on 27.2.2019
Counsel for the Parties:
For the Petitioner:Mr. Aseem Mehrotra, Advocate
For the Respondent:Ms. Reena Kumar, Advocate
Headnote:Consumer Protection Act, 1986—Section 21(b)—Medical Negligence-negligence during operation of abdomen of wife-uterus was not repaired and rectum of the patient was damaged-second operation performed, but negligence of OP, i.e. doctor who performed first operation not found—No expert—District Forum allowed the complaint, but State Commission allowed the appeal and dismissed the complaint, hence Revision—Held, On the basis of the medical text, it was the case of delayed perforation of intestine; which could have occurred after 7 to 11 days of D & C performed by an unskilled person. There is no iota of evidence to prove that there was any surgical injury to the small or large intestine during surgery performed by the opposite party. The complaint dismissed.
Result: Appeal dismissed.
This revision petition has been filed under Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 against the Order dated 29.08.2017 passed in appeal No. 07 of 2011 by Bihar State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Patna (for short, ‘the State Commission’) whereby the State Commission allowed the appeal of the opposite party – doctor and set aside the Order dated 07.12.2010 of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Nalanda (for short, ‘District Forum’).
2. The brief facts that on 03.07.2008, complainant’s wife was suffering from abdominal pain and she was taken to the clinic of opposite party – doctor, who advised for operation. On 05.07.1998 opposite party operated her for repair of perforation in the uterus and charged Rs. 4 lakh from him. Thereafter, it was alleged that due to negligence during operation, patient suffered serious complications like fecal discharge through the operated area since 11.07.1998. Then the patient consulted Dr. Kamal Ashraf at Patna, who noted that the uterus was not repaired and rectum of the patient was damaged, therefore, patient was again operated on 16.07.1998 by Dr. Kamal Ashraf. It caused great financial loss, mental and physical agony to the patient and her family members. Being aggrieved, the complainant filed a complaint before the District Forum for alleged medical negligence.
3. The complaint was contested by the opposite party and denied any negligence on the part of doctor. Opposite party in her written version before the District Forum submitted that there was no negligence on her part. On 03.07.1998 wife of the petitioner came with a complaint of pain in lower abdomen since last five days and amenorrhoea since 1 ½ months. During the course of patient’s external examination, she disclosed dilatation and curettage (D & C) on 2/7/98 for termination of pregnancy of 1 ½ months was done by somebody (not being a qualified medical practitioner). On examination opposite party found a lump in the lower abdominal part and on internal examination the uterus was bulky and posterior fornix was bulging. It was confirmed by ultrasound study. After pre-operative fitness, patient was operated successfully on 05.07.1998. Thereafter, patient approached Dr. Kamal Ashraf at Patna on 11-07-98, who again operated the patient on 16.07.98. The prescription of Dr. Kamal Ahsraf did not disclose negligence which caused perforation of uterus anywhere and damage to the rectum during surgery.
4. On the basis of pleadings and evidence, the District Forum allowed the complaint and directed the opposite party to pay Rs.50,000/- on account of medical negligence and compensation of Rs.10,000/- alongwith litigation cost of Rs.10,000/-.
5. Being aggrieved, the opposite party filed first appeal before the State Commission, Bihar and the State Commission allowed the said appeal, dismissed the complaint.
6. Being aggrieved by the impugned order, the petitioner-complainant filed the instant revision petition.
7. Heard learned counsel for both the parties. They have made their respective submissions as stated in their evidence. Perused the documents on file and given thoughtful consideration to the arguments. So far as the allegations of the complainant against the opposite party- doctor that due to fault in the operation performed on 05.07.1998 the patient had developed the complication of fecal discharge from the operated site. The patient consulted Dr. Kamal Ashraf at Patna on 11-07-98, who again operated the patient on 16.07.1998. It is evident from the medical prescriptions dated 11.07.1998 of Dr. Kamal Ahsraf that the patient was brought to him with the complaint of fecal discharge from the wound. He performed the operation on 16.07.1998 and the rectum was required by closing the perforation. Nothing was mentioned in the prescription about any fault during the operation conducted by the appellant doctor which caused injury to patient’s or uterus or rectum.
8. The State Commission was of the view that t