Punjab Human Rights Commission serves notice to DMC Hospital Ludhiana, Read to know why

January 21, 2026

The Punjab Human Rights Commission has summoned the management of DMC Hospital in Ludhiana for allegedly refusing to release a deceased patient’s body. Commission Chairman Jatinder Singh Shanty has directed the hospital management to appear at the Chandigarh office and submit their response.

A patient named Amar Joshi, a resident of Haibowal, died at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC) in Ludhiana on December 25. He had outstanding dues, and the hospital refused to release his body. The body was eventually released after the commission’s intervention, but the hospital management has now sent a notice demanding further payment.

The family of the deceased, Amar Joshi, approached Punjab Human Rights Commission Chairman Jatinder Singh Shanty and filed a complaint, demanding action against the hospital management. Following the complaint, the commission summoned the hospital management. Jatinder Singh Shanty shared this information on his social media account.

Package deal of ₹17 lakh, ₹11 lakh already paid

The deceased’s brother, Sonu, informed the commission chairman that a package deal of ₹17 lakh had been agreed upon for his brother’s liver transplant. To pay for the treatment, they sold a plot of land and deposited ₹11 lakh with the hospital. ₹6 lakh remained outstanding. When the hospital refused to release the body, they contacted the commission, and only then was the body released.

Sonu also told the chairman that his sister-in-law was supposed to donate her liver. After the hospital released the body, they refused to discharge his sister-in-law. They had to borrow ₹1 lakh to secure her release, which they obtained at a high interest rate.

Hospital sends notice

The complainant appeared before the commission and stated that the hospital management has now sent them a notice demanding an additional ₹5 lakh plus 18 percent GST. They told the commission that when the body was released, the hospital had agreed to waive the remaining bill.

Commission Chairman Jatinder Singh Shanty said that he would take strict action in this matter. He assured the family that he would first hear the hospital management’s side of the story before taking any further action.