6-month-old dies after treatment at unregistered clinic in Vidisha:Father says, ‘Child’s condition worsened after medicines’; facility sealed, FIR filed

A six-month-old child died under suspicious circumstances after being administered medicines at an unregistered clinic in Sironj, Vidisha district. The case has triggered swift action from the health department and police, who sealed the clinic and filed an FIR against its operator, Aziz Uddin, on Thursday night. The child’s family alleges negligence in treatment and claims the clinic refused to attend to the child when his condition worsened. The deceased, Harshit, was the only son of Anil and Swati Ahirwar of Lidhaura village. His father says the child was healthy until Thursday morning and had never required medical care before. Harshit’s condition deteriorated within hours of receiving medicines, after which he was taken to multiple facilities before being declared dead at the Civil Hospital. ‘My son was healthy when we took him to clinic’ Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, the child’s father Anil Ahirwar recounted the sequence of events. He said, When we took him to the clinic, the son was healthy. He was just crying. It was his first visit to a doctor. They gave him medicines, but after bringing him home, his condition deteriorated. When we took him back, they refused. At the government hospital, doctors declared him dead. He added that Harshit had cried continuously the night before. By noon the next day, the family decided to take him to Delhi Clinic, a private establishment run by Dr. Aziz Uddin in Sironj. Although they had earlier taken their daughter there for treatment, this was the first time they took their infant son. Anil says the doctor examined the child and administered two syrups of 5 ml each, without specifying the illness. The prescription also included Go Sleep, Laspas, and Rogan Kogu oil meant for massage. The family bought the medicines from a nearby medical shop and returned home. They gave two doses as instructed. Within 30 minutes, Harshit became unresponsive. Child’s condition worsens; clinic refuses, hospital turns them away By 3:30 pm, Anil rushed the child back to the clinic, where he met Dr. Aziz’s son, MD Farukhi, a BUMS practitioner. According to the family, Farukhi said the child had low oxygen levels and referred him to Arogya Hospital, assuring them he would follow. However, upon reaching Arogya Hospital, the staff allegedly refused to admit the child after observing his condition from outside. The family was advised to immediately take him to the government Civil Hospital. By then, Anil says the infant showed no signs of movement and his body felt cold. The family rushed to the Civil Hospital around 5:30 pm, where doctors declared Harshit dead. The family then approached BMO Dr. Neeraj Panthi, who initiated departmental action. Family of daily wage labourers struggling after loss The Dainik Bhaskar team visited Lidhaura village, located nearly 12 km from Sironj. Anil and his wife Swati live in a small two-room mud house with a tiled roof. Anil works as a farm labourer and the family survives on daily wages. The couple has a 1.5-year-old daughter, Saira. Harshit was born six months ago, and according to Anil, had recently started recognising voices and smiling when called — moments that took away the day’s fatigue. When reporters reached the home, the family had just returned from performing the burial rituals. Several relatives were present, and the sound of women crying could be heard from inside. Expired medicines, no registration, high patient footfall The reporters then visited Delhi Clinic, situated near Court Gate in Raj Bazar at Sironj. The clinic operates out of the ground floor of a madrasa building and has signage displaying the names of both Aziz Uddin (BIMS) and his son (BUMS). The clinic occupies about 700 square feet and comprises two halls and three small cabins. A separate room is filled with medicines stacked in racks like a pharmacy — including allopathic, ayurvedic, and unani medicines. Benches are placed for patients to lie down, and stethoscopes were visible inside. According to locals, 50 to 60 patients visit the clinic daily for ailments like fever, cold, cough, skin infections, and general discomfort. The father-son duo is considered influential in the locality, with Aziz also serving on the madrasa’s management board. However, the health department’s inspection revealed that: Doctor’s response: ‘Have been practicing for 48 years’ When questioned by Dainik Bhaskar, Aziz Uddin, who refused to speak on camera, said: He did not give a clear answer regarding the presence and use of allopathic medicines in the clinic. Police briefly detained him for questioning before releasing him. Clinic sealed, FIR registered According to BMO Dr. Neeraj Panthi, a joint team of revenue and police officials inspected the clinic around 8 pm and sealed it after finding expired drugs and unlicensed medical supplies. An FIR has been registered against Aziz Uddin under Section 271(24) BNS and relevant provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Council Act (1956 1958). Police say further action will depend on: The case continues to generate concern in the region regarding unregistered clinics and unsafe medical practices.