MRI death case: Bombay HC grants interim relief of Rs 10 lakh to kin

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Tuesday granted interim compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of a 32-year-old salesman who died last January after being sucked into an MRI machine at a civic hospital. The court observed the “unfortunate incident’’ was a prima facie case of negligence. The HC directed the civic body and BYL Nair Hospital, where the death occurred, to pay the amount within six weeks.


“But for negligence on part of hospital authorities, the incident wouldn’t have taken place,” said the HC bench of Justices Akil Kureshi and S J Kathawalla.

“Hospitals should take all necessary precautions. Municipal hospitals will be visited by a large number of people, many from rural areas, lacking in awareness. It will be unreasonable to be aware about entering an MRI scan room without metal objects,’’ said justice Kureshi.

Lalbaug resident, Rajesh Maru, died after getting pulled into the MRI machine along with an oxygen cylinder he allegedly carried into the room for his ailing relative, the BMC had said.

“As per the employer, its staff was negligent in discharge of duties…the BMC thus cannot avoid its liabilities to pay compensation,’’ said the HC in the interim order. Maru’s family members had petitioned the court last year seeking safety guidelines on use of MRI in hospitals and Rs 1.4 crore compensation. Their counsel ,Darius Khambata, had argued there was negligence on the part of hospital staff as the ward boy had “instructed” Maru to enter the MRI scanning room. The family’s case was the ward boy had said the machine was off at the time. The HC will decide the final compensation after a detailed hearing.