Medical negligence case: More than two years after the death of an elderly woman, the Chandigarh Police have filed a chargesheet against a doctor from Landmark Hospital, Sector 33, in connection with alleged medical negligence during her treatment.

The case relates to the death of Amarjit Kaur, who underwent surgery for a fractured femur in March 2024. The chargesheet has been filed against Dr Parminder Singh after an expert medical committee concluded that there were lapses in the treatment provided and in the handling of important medical records required during her subsequent care.

A case was registered on December 18, 2024, after the UT Medical Negligence Committee found that the allegations of negligence had merit.

Treatment under scrutiny

According to the investigation, Amarjit Kaur underwent surgery at Landmark Hospital on March 16, 2024. Her family alleges that her health deteriorated about a week later as her sodium levels dropped significantly. Despite her worsening condition, the hospital allegedly did not admit her for further treatment. Instead, she was prescribed medicines and sent home. The following day, her condition reportedly became critical after she suffered seizures, following which the family was advised to take her to either PGI Chandigarh or Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32.

She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at GMCH Sector 32, where doctors recommended an urgent MRI scan as part of her treatment.

Delay in MRI became a key issue

According to the complaint, the MRI could not be performed because the implant used during her surgery required confirmation that it was MRI-compatible.

The family alleged that Landmark Hospital did not provide the implant certificate despite repeated requests. Without the required document, doctors at the government hospital were unable to proceed with the MRI. Amarjit Kaur died on April 16, 2024.

Following the family's complaint, the Medical Negligence Committee concluded that the hospital had failed to provide appropriate care when the patient's condition worsened and had also not supplied the necessary medical records needed for her continued treatment.

PGI reaffirmed expert committee's findings

During the investigation, the police sought further clarification from PGI Chandigarh, stating that certain aspects of the committee's report required verification.

In March 2026, the PGI informed the police that the original report had been prepared by a panel of senior specialists from PGI, Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, and GMCH Sector 32. It also stated that the committee's findings were accurate.

Following this clarification, the Chandigarh Police completed its investigation and filed the chargesheet.

The deceased woman's son, Sukhwinder Pal, has alleged that several important pieces of evidence were not reflected in the chargesheet.

He claimed that the police did not include the committee's final conclusions in full and also ignored call recordings and other material submitted during the investigation. He further alleged that Dr Harsimran Singh, Dr  Varun Kumar, and the hospital's owner, SPS Chawla, were not named in the chargesheet despite the evidence provided.

The family has said it will place its objections before the court and seek appropriate legal action.

Responding to the allegations, DSP Harjit Kaur said she had not personally examined the chargesheet. However, she added that if the family believes there are omissions, they can submit their objections to the Station House Officer (SHO). She said any valid concerns can be reviewed during the course of the investigation and, if required, included through a supplementary chargesheet.