Hospital refuses to release body after patient’s death over bill dues

BENGALURU: A hospital on Old Airport Road in the city allegedly denied handing over the body after an aged patient who had died over unpaid medical bills.

The patient Ila Suresh (77) was admitted for lung infection treatment, but succumbed to her illness. The family said they had paid more than  80 per cent of the bills, but yet, the management did not ready to release the body.

The hospital reportedly refused to release her body until the outstanding bill of Rs 27 lakh was settled. The family claimed that they were forced to pay the full amount without any concessions, despite requesting a reduction of Rs 2 lakh.

Tensions escalated at the hospital and the family alleged that the hospital staff tried to assault them and started arguing with the management against their decision, prompting police intervention to facilitate the handover of the deceased’s body.