Patna: A bizarre incident recently unfolded at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Bihar, where the left eye of Fantush Kumar, who had succumbed to gunshot injuries, went mysteriously missing from his body after death. Family members were left horrified after noticing the absence upon bringing the body from the morgue, prompting them to suspect foul play.
On November 15, Kumar was admitted to NMCH after being shot by unidentified assailants. He passed away on Friday night. Due to procedural delays, his body remained in the ICU overnight, awaiting post-mortem on Saturday morning. It was during this transition to the autopsy room when the shocking discovery occurred.
“We noticed his left eye was missing, and alongside the body, a surgical blade lay on the stretcher,” reported one of Kumar’s relatives, casting doubts over the hospital's protocols. This led to family members alleging negligence as well as possible foul play by hospital staff.
Hospital authorities, on their part, expressed concern over the incident. NMCH’s medical superintendent, Binod Kumar Singh, stated, “A medical team has been constituted to probe the matter. It’s serious, and strict action must be taken against anyone found guilty.” There were speculations among the doctors about rats gnawing at the deceased's eye, but the family dismissed this as implausible.
“How the eye was gouged out can only be determined after the autopsy report is received,” Singh explained. While NMCH has lodged a formal complaint with the Alamganj police station, investigation actions are underway. The police have started reviewing CCTV footage from the hospital to piece together the events surrounding Kumar’s death.
"The case is being investigated from all angles," remarked Rajiv Kumar, the Station House Officer at Alamganj. Meanwhile, the state health department has taken immediate action, suspending two nurses who were on duty at the time of this shocking incident. “Based on preliminary findings, we have ordered their suspension due to negligence,” confirmed Health Minister Mangal Pandey. While he refrained from elaboration, he insisted on allowing the inquiry to conclude before determining the specifics of the nurses’ failures.
Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh assured swift action against those accountable, saying, “The district administration is monitoring the situation closely.” This grave incident not only raises serious questions about hospital protocols but also about the safety and respect owed to the deceased and their families during such sensitive times.
The actions taken reflect greater scrutiny over medical practices, especially as families navigate the already traumatic experiences of loss. The grim reality of this occurrence has undoubtedly left lasting emotional scars on the family of Fantush Kumar, who is now faced with unexplained horrors during their mourning period.
This case contributes to the mounting concerns about medical negligence incidents within Bihar’s healthcare system, where reports of malpractices have made headlines, prompting calls for reforms and greater accountability across government-run medical facilities.
While authorities investigate, families like Kumar's hope for justice and answers surrounding the terrible experience inflicted upon them, reaffirming the need for higher standards of care and respect within the healthcare system. The community is now anxiously awaiting results from the autopsy report and the findings from the official investigations as families continue to advocate for changes to prevent such horrific occurrences from repeating.
