Dead man’s eye missing from Bihar hospital, doctors blame rats, family suspects foul play

Nalanda Medical College and Hospital in Patna. File | Photo credit: PTI

One eye of a man who was shot at was found missing from a government hospital in the capital of Bihar hours after his death. Doctors blamed rats for gnawing on it, and the deceased’s relatives suspected foul play.

Fantush Kumar, who was admitted to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna after being shot at by unknown assailants on November 15, succumbed to his injuries on Friday night (November 15, 2024).

His body was kept in the ICU bed as the post-mortem examination could not be conducted at night. The autopsy was conducted on Saturday morning (November 16, 2024).

“When the body was taken from the mortuary, we noticed that the left eye was missing and a surgical knife was lying next to the body on the stretcher,” said a family member.

The relatives alleged negligence and foul play, while some doctors suspected rats had gnawed the eye.

Medical team assembled

Speaking to reporters, NMCH Medical Superintendent Binod Kumar Singh said, “A medical team has been constituted to investigate the case. It is a serious issue and strict action should be taken against those found guilty.” “A group of doctors suspect that rats may have gnawed the eye. All aspects related to the incident are being investigated. We are also waiting for the post-mortem report,” he said.

“How the eye was gouged out can only be known after receiving the autopsy report. The hospital administration has also filed a formal complaint with Alamganj police station in this regard,” the medical superintendent said.

Rajiv Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO) of Alamganj police station, told PTI on Sunday (November 17, 2024), “A case has been registered on the basis of a formal complaint filed by the hospital administration. We investigate We also investigated relatives of the deceased and other hospital staff.

Family members of the deceased have not filed any complaint so far.