No money to pay anyone, says father of accident victim

Cops refuse to pay hospital bill amounting to over Rs 2 lakh of boy hit by police van

"I feel cheated. Had I known in advance that I would have to foot the hospital bills, I would have shifted my son to a public hospital," said a dejected Hemant Adhav, whose son Vikram (19) died after being knocked down by a police van. Adhav, who got admitted to Jehangir hospital for diabetic problems a day after his son died, said that he does not have money to pay for his own as well as his deceased son's treatment.

Vikram and four of his friends were knocked down by a speeding police van on December 5. After being on the ventilator for three days at the Jehangir hospital, Vikram died on December 8. After his death, the hospital released his body for last rites even though the bill amounting to over Rs 2 lakh was not paid. If Adhav's family or hospital officials are to be believed, the police should foot the bill as they had promised to do so.

"The police had clearly told me to go ahead with the treatment and not worry about the bill. But that was on the first day of accident. After that they never showed up. Then I read in the newspapers that they have refused to pay and instead expect me to approach the Motor Tribunal," said Adhav. "I will have to take legal recourse as I am surviving on my meagre savings." He said that if the hospital approaches him for money, he would consult a lawyer and file a case with the motor tribunal.

Indira Bhaduri, deputy general manager, billing department at Jehangir hospital, said: "A woman police inspector came to us and told us to give the police a copy of the bill and release the body. They said that they would look into the payment issue. But we haven't heard from them as yet and now we have no choice but to approach the family."

Police Inspector Sushma Chavan, Lashkar police station said that though the hospital had sent them the bill, the police had not asked for it. "I never assured them the compensation. Also, I do not have the authority to make such decisions. We had only requested the hospital authorities to start the treatment immediately without waiting for the patient's relatives," said Chavan.