Navi Mumbai News: Father-Son Eye Surgeons Face Renewed Scrutiny Over Multiple Medical Negligence Cases

A father-son duo eye surgeons, recently booked by Vashi police for alleged medical negligence, had earlier been ordered by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to pay Rs 7.1 lakh to a 70-year-old patient from Dharavi who lost complete vision in his right eye after an alleged botched surgery. The order, passed in November 2024, has not been complied with till date, said the victim, Farooquee Ahmed Shaikh (70).

New FIR Filed Following Allegations by Another Victim

Last week, Vashi police registered a case against Dr. D.V. Pandit and his son, Dr. Chandan Pandit, following a complaint by Rajendra Gupta (68) from Koparkhairane. The FIR was filed after a Thane civil surgeon’s report confirmed alleged negligence during a surgery on Gupta that left him blind in one eye. The operation took place at Dr. Pandit Eye Surgery and Laser Hospital in Sector 10, Vashi, owned by Dr. D.V. Pandit. Victims, including Gupta, have alleged that the surgeries there are conducted by his son, Dr. Chandan Pandit, who is also posted at Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s Airoli Hospital.

Details of Shaikh’s Surgery Point to Gross Negligence

Shaikh’s case dates back to January 2020, when the former auto rickshaw driver began experiencing blurred vision, soreness, and watering in his right eye. On his son-in-law’s advice, he sought treatment from the accused doctor, who assured him of recovery. The following day, the surgeon charged Rs 15,000 and performed surgery without carrying out mandatory pre-operative checks, such as blood pressure and blood sugar tests, despite being informed of Shaikh’s age and health condition, the complaint stated.

During the operation, Shaikh experienced severe pain, which was dismissed as temporary. His condition worsened overnight, and on January 25, he was referred to Mallika Hospital, where doctors found a 99% impairment and performed emergency surgery to control a life-threatening infection. Despite the procedure, he permanently lost 100% vision in his right eye.

Medical reports from other hospitals confirmed the blindness. Legal notices sent to the doctor went unanswered, and the Commission, proceeding ex parte, found the surgeon guilty of gross negligence, lack of reasonable skill, and deficient post-operative care. The order directed payment of Rs 2 lakh for further medical treatment, Rs 5 lakh as compensation for negligence, mental agony, and harassment, and Rs 10,000 in litigation costs, all within 60 days. Nearly a year later, the compensation remains unpaid.

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Legal Action Mounts as More Victims Come Forward

Shaikh’s case has now been added to Gupta’s FIR. Also included is the case of Rajkumar Chandan (71), a yesteryear actor who had first spoken out against the doctors over an alleged botched surgery more than a decade ago. Chandan said he was previously denied an FIR and later refused inclusion as a victim in Gupta’s case on grounds that his was “too old.” Following multiple media reports, Vashi police have now recorded his statement and collected his medical records.

Hospital and Police Take Steps Amid Rising Pressure

“On Monday, my statement was recorded, and today I was also asked to go to NMMC Hospital. I finally see some movement in my case, in which I had lost hope,” Chandan said.