The father of a 4-year-old girl who died earlier this year after an alleged sexual assault has said she could have survived if hospitals had not failed in their “basic duty to save lives.” Speaking to TOI on Wednesday, the Ghaziabad resident said his trust in the system was deeply shaken after two private hospitals allegedly refused to treat his critically injured daughter.
His petition was heard by the Supreme Court on June 16. He claimed that Khajan Singh Manvi Health Care and St Joseph’s Hospital both declined to provide immediate treatment despite seeing the child bleeding and unconscious in his arms.
“She was alive for two hours after we found her,” he said, adding that both hospitals refused to examine her. According to him, “They did not yield even to his appeal that time was critical to save the child.”
He added, “She was alive for two hours after we found her,” and said the refusal to treat her cost precious time.
Allegations of Refusal by Private Hospitals
The father said the first hospital he reached turned them away, stating it lacked the necessary facilities. He also alleged that no ambulance was arranged for transfer.
At the second hospital, he claimed staff refused treatment, citing medico-legal concerns and advising him to go to a government facility instead.
“I pleaded with folded hands,” he said. “But the hospital did not even arrange an ambulance.”
He further said that despite repeated appeals, neither hospital examined the child before referring them onward.
Journey to Government Hospital and Child’s Death
The girl was eventually taken towards MMG Hospital, the nearest government facility, but she died on the way. Doctors later declared her dead on arrival.
“If the two hospitals had treated her, my daughter might have survived,” he said. “If my daughter is no longer alive today, the hospitals are also responsible for it.”
What Happened on March 16
According to the report, the child was playing outside her home in Nandgram on March 16 when a neighbour, Gaurav, allegedly lured her away around 6 pm.
The accused reportedly took her to a nearby market, bought her snacks including samosas, jalebis, and lollipops, and then led her to a secluded area about 500 metres away.
There, he allegedly raped her and struck her on the head with a brick, leaving her critically injured.
Search and Discovery of the Child
The father, a house painter, was at work when his son informed him that the girl was missing. He initially believed she might be nearby but rushed home by 7:15 pm when panic grew.
Search teams were formed, and neighbours helped locate her. After nearly two hours of searching, the father found her around 9 pm.
“Her clothes had been removed and she was bleeding heavily,” he said.
He described rushing her on a motorcycle to the nearest hospital while holding her in his lap.
Supreme Court Proceedings and Accountability Question
The Supreme Court has reportedly asked hospitals whether they are willing to compensate the parents. However, the father said compensation is not the core issue.
He stressed that “there is something that goes far beyond compensation that needs fixing — accountability.”
A Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) found substance in his allegations that the hospitals did not provide timely care.
The apex court also asked one hospital about voluntary compensation, noting that if they do not agree, it may determine the amount itself.
Activist Criticism and Hospital Response
Child rights activist Shara Ashraf Prayag, who supported the petition, said basic first aid should have been provided at the first hospital before referral.
She criticised St Joseph Hospital, calling it a well-equipped charitable institution, and alleged that doctors refused treatment. She also questioned claims that the father declined care.
A spokesperson for St Joseph Hospital, Lalit Goya told TOI a different version, stating the child remained in the emergency ward for less than five minutes and that doctors were en route when attendants opted to shift her.
He added that the absence of an ambulance or medical supervision during transfer may have worsened her condition.
Allegations About Crime Scene and Police Response
The father also told TOI that he informed police about suspected drug use at the spot where his daughter was found, claiming syringes and empty bottles were present.
He alleged that the accused had used drugs before the assault, but said no action was taken despite his repeated complaints about the area.
[With TOI inputs]
