Bodies of two brothers swapped at Nakodar hospital, SMO orders probe

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 9

The bodies of two brothers were swapped with those of migrant labourers at Nakodar Civil Hospital on Saturday. An inquiry has been ordered by the SMO, Nakodar Civil Hospital, into the incident.

Phumman Singh (35) and Pala Singh (50) had died after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a tank at the Kisan Mentha Plant at Lohian on Friday. The bodies were sent for a post-mortem examination at the Civil Hospital where these were swapped with bodies of two other labourers.

‘Serious lapse on part of staff’

Despite the relatives claiming it was their mistake, we believe that it was a serious lapse on the part of the hospital. A three-member committee comprising a pharmacy officer and two medical officers, is looking into the incident. —Dr Bhupinder Kaur, Nakodar SMO

Relatives came to know about the swapping when the bodies were brought to Mundi Chohlian village for cremation. The brothers’ bodies were finally brought back late on Saturday evening. The cremation, initially scheduled for 2 pm, took place at 7 pm.

Both the brothers were daily wagers. The wife of Pala and three children of the two brothers are now the only surviving members of the family. Phumman’s wife died a month ago.

Lohian SHO Sukhdev Singh said proceedings under Section 174, CrPC, had been initiated.

Nakodar SMO Dr Bhupinder Kaur said, “Despite the relatives claiming it was their mistake, we believe it was a serious lapse on the part of the hospital. Wrong bodies shouldn’t have been given. A three-member committeecomprising a pharmacy officer and two medical officers, is looking into the incident.”