Vasai girl, 8, dies after treatment at clinic; case filed against alleged bogus doctor

An eight-year-old girl died after treatment at a clinic in the Bhoyadapada area of Vasai East. She had been suffering from vomiting and was taken to the clinic for that reason. Relatives allege that after the tablets and two injections given by the alleged bogus doctor, blood began to flow from the girl's nose and mouth, and she then died.

According to the information available, the girl began vomiting at around 8.30 pm on September 28. Seeing her condition, her mother took her to Rahul Clinic at Rajavali Palnagar. There, Dhoopchand Nishad (42) examined the girl and gave her some tablets. Relatives say he also administered two injections.

The next morning, the mother gave the girl tea and toast. Soon afterwards, blood suddenly began to flow from her nose and mouth. Her condition worsened and she died shortly afterwards. The relatives then made serious allegations about the treatment. Police said the exact medical cause of death is not yet clear and that nothing can be said about it until the post-mortem report arrives.

Following the incident, the health department of the civic body inspected the clinic. According to Dr Bhakti Chaudhari, the civic body's chief medical officer, Nishad described himself as holding a degree in "electro homeopathy". The inspection found, however, that he does not have any medical degree recognised by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). He is nonetheless accused of having given allopathic medicines and injections.

Dr Srinivasrao Dudhmal, a medical officer of the civic body, filed a complaint with the police in the matter. On that basis, Waliv police have registered a case against the doctor.

Pradeep Kerekar, senior police inspector at Waliv police station, said a case has been registered against the doctor concerned. The exact cause of the girl's death will be known when the post-mortem report arrives, and further legal action will be taken accordingly.

Meanwhile, the accused, Dhoopchand Nishad, has denied the allegations against him. He claims the relatives' allegations are false. Only the investigation will now establish the actual medical cause of the girl's death and what role the treatment played in it.