Body mix-up at Sion hospital, two staffers suspended

MUMBAI: Two staffers of Sion Hospital have been suspended following an incident of body mix-up at the civic-run hospital on Sunday. A police complaint has been also been filed. The hospital allegedly handed over the remains of Ankush Surwade(26) to the family of a person who is said to have died by suicide on Sunday. The latter’s relatives carried out the last rites without realising it was the wrong person.
Wadala resident Surwade’s relatives created a ruckus on Sunday evening after realising his body was handed over to the wrong family. The 26-year-old, a dancer by profession, had suffered a serious head injury following an accident on August 28. He passed away around 2.30am Sunday following which his body was sent for autopsy. The suicide victim’s body was also brought there for autopsy.
“When we came to the hospital to claim his body, they told us it was already handed over to another family. How can a hospital be so callous? My parents couldn’t even see him for the last time,” said his sister, Jayshree Surwade.
Hospital dean Dr Mohan Joshi said two staffers have been suspended and an inquiry would be initiated. He, however, added the suicide victim’s relatives had identified Surwade’s body and claimed it to be theirs.