Patient dies after ambulance halts for leopard sighting in Balaghat:Family alleges driver technician demanded money to resume journey; both accused held

A young malaria patient died allegedly due to the negligence of an ambulance driver and technician in Balaghat. The victim’s family claims the driver stopped the vehicle midway to watch a leopard and later demanded money to continue the journey. Following a complaint, police have arrested both accused. Victims were suffering from Malaria Gayatri Uike, 20, and her sister Radhika from Jatta village in Baihar block were suffering from malaria. They were referred from the Community Health Centre in Birsa to the District Hospital on Monday night at 8:57 pm. The ambulance arrived in Birsa at 10 pm and left for Balaghat around 10:15 pm with the patients and their relatives. Statement received from patient’s sister According to the patient’s sister, Sarita Marskole, driver Lalit Pawar and technician Anil Rahangdale kept insisting they go to a private hospital. On the way, they stopped the ambulance in a forest area to see a leopard and later demanded ₹700. The ambulance only resumed the journey after receiving ₹600. Patient’s death due to delay in treatment Notably, ambulance reached the district hospital at 12:10 am. Gayatri died during treatment here. Family members accused ambulance staff of negligence. The matter reached Collector Mrinal Meena. On the collector’s instructions, CMHO Dr. Paresh Uplap filed a case at Birsa police station against ambulance driver Lalit Pawar and EMT Anil Rahangdale. Both have been arrested. In addition to this, the Chief Medical Health Officer has also written a letter to the Mission Director of National Health Mission Bhopal for action against the accused. Regarding the matter, SP Aditya Mishra said that such incidents will not be tolerated.