Instances of people being declared dead but later found alive have repeatedly raised questions about medical negligence, identification errors and lapses in hospital procedures. From a woman who was reported murdered seven years ago but was found alive to patients who regained consciousness moments before cremation or burial, several such incidents across India have left families shocked and prompted investigations.While some cases involved alleged clerical errors at hospitals, others raised questions about the procedures followed before declaring a person dead. Here is a look at some incidents in which people pronounced dead were later found alive.
Woman declared murdered seven years ago found alive in Rajasthan
In a bizarre case, Mehandipur Balaji police on Saturday detained a woman who had been declared dead seven years ago, while two men accused of her murder had served imprisonment in connection with the case.
The police traced the woman, Aarti, after receiving information from the victims, who alerted them about her whereabouts.According to Mehandipur Balaji police station officer Ajit Singh Badsera, Sonu said he had married Aarti in 2015 through a court marriage. However, after the marriage, Aarti allegedly demanded that land and money be transferred in her name.When Sonu expressed his inability to meet her demands, she allegedly left the house after eight days and disappeared. Despite searching for her, he could not trace her.Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Police found the body of an unidentified woman in the Magorra canal in Mathura. As a post-mortem examination was not conducted, the police had the body cremated.Around six months later, Aarti’s father, Suraj Prasad Gupta, approached the police to inquire about his missing daughter. The police showed him photographs and clothes recovered from the deceased woman, following which he identified the body as that of Aarti.Her father subsequently accused Sonu Saini and Gopal Saini, residents of Mehandipur Balaji, of murdering his daughter.The two accused were arrested and served imprisonment in the case. However, the latest development, with Aarti being found alive, has brought a fresh twist to the case.
Woman found alive- Aarti
Rajasthan man declared dead shows signs of life before cremation
In another shocking incident, a 25-year-old deaf and mute man, Rohitash Kumar, who was declared dead by doctors at a hospital in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, showed signs of life just before his cremation.Kumar, who lived at a shelter home and had no family, was taken to the emergency department of BDK Hospital in Jhunjhunu on Thursday after his health deteriorated.After he reportedly failed to respond to treatment, doctors declared him dead at around 2pm and shifted his body to the mortuary. Following the necessary documentation, the police transported the body to a crematorium.However, just as the body was placed on the funeral pyre, Kumar reportedly began showing signs of breathing, according to police reports.An ambulance was immediately called, and he was rushed back to the hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Officials later confirmed that his condition was stable.The incident prompted the district administration to take action. District collector Ramavtar Meena suspended three doctors — Dr Yogesh Jakhar, Dr Navneet Meel and principal medical officer Dr Sandeep Pachar — on Thursday night.An investigative committee was also constituted, and the medical department secretary was informed about the incident. Revenue officer Mahendra Mund and Deputy Director of the Social Justice Department Pawan Poonia subsequently visited the hospital.
Kolkata patient declared dead, later found alive in hospital
In another case involving an alleged hospital error, a patient who had been declared dead and whose death certificate had been issued was found alive at Chittaranjan National Medical College Hospital in Kolkata.Sabir Molla had been admitted to the hospital on April 11 after complaining of chest pain. On Thursday evening, his family received a call from the hospital informing them that he had died.The following morning, his relatives reached the hospital morgue to collect his body. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Molla spotted one of his relatives from a bathroom in one of the hospital buildings and called out to him.When the family informed hospital authorities, they were initially told that they might have mistaken someone else for Molla.The family also alleged that the hospital had earlier refused to hand over the body, citing his positive Covid test.Molla was subsequently discharged from the hospital later that morning. The hospital authorities initiated an inquiry into the incident.
Agra man declared dead by hospital found alive at home
In a case that left both the police and a family bewildered, a man who had been discharged from a hospital after treatment for a snake bite was later declared dead by the same medical college.Kush Chaurasia had been admitted to SN Medical College after a snake bite on Sunday morning. Following a medical examination, doctors discharged him a few hours later.However, the hospital authorities reportedly informed the police that he had died. When the police visited his residence to inform the family and collect details, they were shocked to find Chaurasia alive.“It was a funny situation. I didn’t know how to react. I gave all the documents to prove that I’m alive and informed the police that it might be a mistake by the hospital authorities,” Chaurasia said.His wife, Richa Chaurasia, said the family was having tea when a police officer arrived and informed her that her husband had died, even as he was standing beside her.“We believe it was a clerical mistake by hospital staff and they misinformed police about someone else who might have died at the hospital,” she said.Following the incident, medical college principal Dr Saroj Singh ordered an inquiry. A committee headed by Dr P K Maheshwari of the medicine department was formed to investigate the matter and submit a report within two days.“We believe it was a clerical mistake. The doctor might have wrongly written the name of another patient instead of the actual deceased one,” Dr Saroj Singh said.Vinay Kumar Mishra, station officer of Shahganj, also confirmed that Chaurasia was alive and said the incident appeared to have resulted from a clerical error by hospital staff.
Siddharthnagar man found alive before burial, dies during treatment
In Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, a man who was presumed dead by his family after suffering a heart attack was found alive just before his burial.The incident took place in Sikhara village in Dumariyaganj, where Akram had fallen seriously ill in Mumbai after suffering a severe heart attack. He was admitted to a hospital, where he received treatment for around 24 hours before doctors referred him for further medical care.However, his family mistakenly believed that he had died and informed relatives in his native village. Preparations for his burial began, and an ambulance was arranged to transport him home.At around 3am on Wednesday, when the ambulance reached the village, some residents noticed signs of life and suspected that Akram was still breathing.The suspicion continued for nearly six hours. When preparations were being made to bathe the body, an onlooker noticed slight movement in Akram’s lips.He was immediately taken to a doctor, who confirmed that he was alive.Akram was first rushed to a nearby private hospital and later referred to a hospital in Basti because of his critical condition. However, he died during treatment at the hospital, a villager, Shakeel, said.
Beed newborn declared dead, found alive a day later, dies
In Maharashtra’s Beed district, a newborn who was declared dead by doctors at a government hospital in Ambajogai but was found alive 24 hours later died on Friday night.The baby had been placed on ventilator support after being brought back to Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Government Medical College and Hospital. The newborn was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where doctors continued treatment.Dr Ganesh Tondage, head of the obstetrics and gynaecology department, said the baby died due to cardiopulmonary arrest.“The baby was born after only 27 weeks of pregnancy. The newborn was struggling for breath and was kept on life support. Despite all measures, the baby could not survive,” he said.Doctors said the newborn had exhibited Lazarus syndrome, a rare phenomenon in which a person declared dead shows spontaneous signs of life after unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other resuscitation measures.The incident also involved what doctors described as suspended animation, in which vital body functions, including the heart, may temporarily cease.Dr Shankar Dhapate, dean of the hospital, said a five-member committee had been constituted to investigate the incident, but its report was still awaited.“It was not even a pre-term delivery as the baby was born only after 27 weeks of pregnancy. Vital organs, including the heart and lungs, fail to develop in such partially incomplete pregnancies, leading to a low survival rate of the babies,” he said.The family could not be reached for comment. Earlier, the family had said it had no complaints against the doctors at the government hospital.
