Jalandhar, Punjab: Amritsar police have registered a case against four doctors following the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report into the death of Jalandhar-based vegetarian bodybuilder Varinder Ghuman.

The FIR has been filed under Section 106(1) of the BNS, though Ghuman’s brother, Rabbi, has termed it a “mild section” and raised serious concerns over alleged lapses and contradictions in the hospital’s account.

Allegations of Ignored ECG Warnings and Missing Tests

Rabbi alleged that pre-anesthetic checkup (PAC) reports had already indicated potential heart-related risks in Ghuman’s ECG, but doctors failed to act on them. He further claimed that crucial diagnostic procedures, including echocardiography, were not conducted, and no cardiology consultation was sought before proceeding with the surgery.

Surgery Extended to Five Hours Without Family Intimation

According to the family, doctors had initially stated that the procedure would take around two hours. However, medical records later revealed that the surgery lasted nearly five hours. While Ghuman’s physique and a severe rotator cuff tear may have contributed to the delay, Rabbi alleged that the hospital did not inform the family during the prolonged operation, highlighting a lack of intra-operative communication.

Cardiac Emergency Mismanagement and Missing Records

Rabbi further claimed that Ghuman suffered a ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm while recovering from anesthesia, but there were no documented notes from cardiologists who were reportedly called in. He also alleged that intracardiac adrenaline was administered during CPR, which he described as a violation of standard Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols, pointing to medical negligence.

Allegations of File Tampering and Delay in Disclosure

The family has also accused the hospital of withholding information about Ghuman’s death. Rabbi claimed that the hospital delayed informing them and only handed over medical records nearly six hours later. He alleged that the documents may have been tampered with during this time.

Doctors Named in FIR, SIT Finds Protocol Violations

The FIR names orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tapish Shukla, anesthesiologist Dr. Alka Tiwari, head of anesthesia Dr. Rajendra Kaur, and cardiologist Dr. Arun Kumar Chopra.

Varinder Ghuman died during surgery in Amritsar on October 9, 2025. His family had earlier alleged negligence, citing suspicious post-surgery body conditions, including discoloration from head to shoulder.

The SIT, constituted by the Amritsar district administration, submitted its report last month. The findings reportedly concluded that Ghuman’s death was caused by negligence during the operation, with established medical protocols not being followed.