RAMBRIKSHA PRASAD Vs. SUNITI SINHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This revision petition has been filed under Sec. 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 against the Order dated 29.08.2017 passed in appeal No. 07 of 2011 by Bihar State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Patna (for short, ' the State Commission') whereby the State Commission allowed the appeal of the opposite party - doctor and set aside the Order dated 07.12.2010 of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Nalanda (for short, 'District Forum').

(2.) The brief facts that on 03.07.2008, complainant's wife was suffering from abdominal pain and she was taken to the clinic of opposite party - doctor, who advised for operation. On 05.07.1998 opposite party operated her for repair of perforation in the uterus and charged Rs. 4 lakh from him. Thereafter, it was alleged that due to negligence during operation, patient suffered serious complications like fecal discharge through the operated area since 11.07.1998. Then the patient consulted Dr. Kamal Ashraf at Patna, who noted that the uterus was not repaired and rectum of the patient was damaged, therefore, patient was again operated on 16.07.1998 by Dr. Kamal Ashraf. It caused great financial loss, mental and physical agony to the patient and her family members. Being aggrieved, the complainant filed a complaint before the District Forum for alleged medical negligence.

(3.) The complaint was contested by the opposite party and denied any negligence on the part of doctor. Opposite party in her written version before the District Forum submitted that there was no negligence on her part. On 03.07.1998 wife of the petitioner came with a complaint of pain in lower abdomen since last five days and amenorrhoea since 1 1/2 months. During the course of patient's external examination, she disclosed dilatation and curettage (D & C) on 2/7/98 for termination of pregnancy of 1 1/2 months was done by somebody (not being a qualified medical practitioner). On examination opposite party found a lump in the lower abdominal part and on internal examination the uterus was bulky and posterior fornix was bulging. It was confirmed by ultrasound study. After pre-operative fitness, patient was operated successfully on 05.07.1998. Thereafter, patient approached Dr. Kamal Ashraf at Patna on 11-07-98, who again operated the patient on 16.07.98. The prescription of Dr. Kamal Ahsraf did not disclose negligence which caused perforation of uterus anywhere and damage to the rectum during surgery.