Ulhasnagar Doctor Issues Death Certificate For Living Patient; Probe Ordered After Social Media Outrage

In the case of an Ulhasnagar doctor who erroneously declared a 64-year-old man dead and issued a death certificate on June 12, senior surgeon Dr. Prabhu Ahuja who practices at Shivneri Hospital has submitted a written explanation to the Health Department of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC). However, after the incident gained traction on social media, the UMC's Health Department issued a suo motu show-cause notice to Shivneri Hospital on June 16.

According to health officials, Dr. Ahuja stated in his explanation that the patient, Abhiman Tayade, was brought to the hospital in an auto-rickshaw after visiting a general practitioner. Due to his critical condition, Tayade was unable to enter the hospital premises. Dr. Ahuja reportedly examined him inside the auto-rickshaw. He admitted that, due to loud road construction noise near the hospital, he may have failed to detect a pulse during the examination and, consequently, issued a death certificate. “I apologise for the error,” he stated.

He further claimed that he had advised the family to shift Tayade to a hospital with ventilator support. However, the family later returned and requested a death certificate, which he issued “in good faith,” unaware that the patient was still alive. “The family didn’t inform us that he had survived. I feel misled,” Dr. Ahuja added.

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UMC Health Officer Mohini Dharma confirmed receipt of Dr. Ahuja’s explanation. “We will form a committee of five to seven members, including government doctors, to investigate the matter. Based on the committee’s findings, appropriate action will be taken,” she said.

Abhiman Tayade, a resident of Ulhasnagar who suffers from diabetes, jaundice, and other serious ailments, lives with his wife and three children. On the evening of June 12, he was brought to Shivneri Private Hospital in Camp No. 4 in an auto-rickshaw. After being examined and declared dead by Dr. Ahuja, the family returned home and began informing relatives to prepare for the final rites. However, they soon noticed abdominal movements and other signs of life. Tayade was immediately shifted to Criticare Hospital in Ulhasnagar, where he was admitted to the ICU.