Ludhiana(Punjab), January 10:
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Ludhiana has ordered Jain Multispecialty Hospital in Khanna to pay a penalty of ₹85,000 for “overcharging” a patient and providing “substandard” treatment.
The case was brought forward by Surjit Singh, a 61-year-old resident of Mandi Gobindgarh. Singh reported that he was admitted to Jain Multispecialty Hospital on September 1, 2020, for uncontrolled blood sugar, pneumonitis, and sepsis. Despite a 14-day treatment period, his health deteriorated, leading to his transfer to another hospital in Zirakpur, where he was treated from September 14 to 17, 2020.
Singh alleged that the hospital presented him with an inflated bill totaling ₹3,12,450. He highlighted an additional ₹35,000 categorized as extra charges, which he deemed unreasonable. Dissatisfied with the treatment he received, Singh claimed that he had to spend an additional ₹1,64,401 at the second hospital. He sought a refund of the charges from Jain Multispecialty Hospital, along with compensation for the physical and mental distress he endured.
In its defense, the hospital maintained that Singh had been provided with adequate care. They justified the ₹35,000 charge as covering Covid-19-related safety equipment and other necessary services during the pandemic.
Upon examining the evidence, the commission, chaired by Sanjeev Batra and member Monika Bhagat, ruled that the ₹35,000 extra charge was unjustified. It noted that there was no indication that Singh required Covid-specific tests or treatment. Furthermore, the commission found that while the hospital had already charged high fees for room, medicine, and services, the additional charges lacked transparency and were unwarranted.
Under Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act, the commission directed the hospital to refund ₹35,000 to Singh, with 8% annual interest from the date of payment. Additionally, the hospital was instructed to pay ₹50,000 in compensation for the inconvenience caused. The hospital has been given a 30-day deadline to comply with the order.
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