Preventable Death at RIMS Ranchi: NHRC Finds Negligence, Directs Jharkhand Govt to Pay Compensation

 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken strong action in the case of Runi Devi, a pregnant woman who tragically lost her life at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi in August 2017. She died because she was not given a timely blood transfusion—an avoidable lapse that raises serious questions about medical negligence and systemic failure in public health institutions.

The Case

  • On 22 August 2017, Runi Devi, 22 years old and pregnant, was admitted to RIMS Ranchi in a critical condition.

  • Doctors advised immediate blood transfusion, but the hospital staff delayed for over 4.5 hours in arranging and administering blood.

  • Instead of taking swift action, the hospital shifted the responsibility onto the patient’s family to procure blood from the blood bank.

  • By the time the transfusion was given, it was too late. Runi Devi passed away early morning on 23 August 2017.

The case was brought to the NHRC by Onkar Vishwakarma, Convenor of Manavadhikar Jan Nigrani Samiti(PVCHR).

NHRC’s Findings

After examining medical records and an expert opinion from the AIIMS Delhi Board of Doctors, the NHRC concluded:

  • Blood transfusion was correctly advised but unjustifiably delayed.

  • The hospital failed in its duty of care by not submitting requisition forms on time to the blood bank.

  • The delay was a direct contributing factor in Runi Devi’s death.

  • Shifting responsibility to the victim’s relatives was unacceptable; the hospital authorities were responsible for arranging blood immediately.

NHRC’s Directions

  • The NHRC confirmed its Show Cause Notice and directed the Government of Jharkhand to pay ₹1,00,000 (One Lakh Rupees) as compensation to the next of kin of Runi Devi.

  • The Chief Secretary of Jharkhand has been asked to submit compliance along with proof of payment within six weeks (latest by 25 October 2025).

  • The Commission reiterated that this case reflects gross negligence and violation of the right to health, which is protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Broader Implications

This tragedy highlights recurring issues in India’s public health system:

  1. Negligence in Emergency Care: Even in life-threatening conditions, patients are often denied timely medical intervention.

  2. Systemic Apathy: Hospitals shifting responsibility onto poor patients’ families is both unjust and illegal.

  3. Accountability Gap: Despite repeated NHRC interventions, compliance by state governments is slow and incomplete.

PVCHR’s Stand

As a human rights organization working with marginalized communities, PVCHR (People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights) emphasizes that:

  • Every preventable death caused by medical negligence is a human rights violation.

  • Public hospitals must establish accountability systems ensuring zero-delay emergency care.

  • Victim families deserve swift compensation and justice without bureaucratic delays.

  • Governments must invest in strengthening public health infrastructure to prevent such tragedies.

The death of Runi Devi is a stark reminder that denial of timely medical care can be as lethal as any other form of violence or negligence. Health is a fundamental right, and no woman should lose her life due to administrative failure in hospitals.

PVCHR stands in solidarity with the family of Runi Devi and calls for stronger accountability in India’s public health system.

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023
Fax No.: 011-24651332    Website: www.nhrc.nic.in
(Law Division)
Case No.- 1121/34/16/2017
Date : 17/09/2025  
To,
THE CHIEF SECRETARY
GOVERNMENT OF JHARKHAND, 1ST FLOOR, PROJECT BUILDING, DHURWA
RANCHI JHARKHAND
834004
Email- cs-jharkhand@nic.in

 
Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from

ONKAR VISHWKARMA, STATE CONVENOR
MANAVADHIKAR JAN NIGRANI SAMITI, JHARKHAND, DOMCHANCH,
KODERMA , JHARKHAND
0
Email- ONKAR670@GMAIL.COM , Mob No- 9934520602

 
Subject: Additional Information Called for(AIC) -1121/34/16/2017.
 
Sir/ Madam,
 
         I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 17/09/2025 and the Commission has directed as follows.:
         

This proceeding of the case shall be read in continuation of earlier proceedings of the Commission.

The complainant alleges that a pregnant lady died in hospital due to lack of blood. She was not provided the blood on time by the hospital staff.

Vide proceedings dated 04.06.2025, this Commission has observed/directed as under:-

“…The Commission has considered the material placed on record. In the present case of alleged medical negligence, the Commission has sought medical opinion from the Board of Doctors of AIIMS, Delhi, which opined that blood transfusion was properly advised by concerned doctor; however, there was delay of 04.30 hours to transfuse blood to the patient. There is clearly negligence/inadequate patient care on part of RIMS Ranchi hospital staff for not acting promptly and for not submitting the requisition form to blood bank for obtaining blood for the patient, as she required an immediate blood transfusion. Therefore, it cannot be denied that delay in blood transfusion to the patient has attributed to the demise of the deceased though in association with other factors.

8. Though the hospital had tried to put the onus on relatives of deceased for arranging the blood from blood bank but in actual its hospital authority’s responsibility to take immediate steps for the welfare of the patient, hence clearly there was negligence on part of hospital authorities for not transfusing the blood to patient timely despite medical emergency. Therefore, there has been negligence on part of the treating staff/doctors in providing immediate blood transfusion to the deceased which might have caused demise of the deceased in association with other factors.

9. Since, the Commission has already confirmed its show cause notice and recommendation; let direction be issued again to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand, to release compensation of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rs. One Lakh only) NoK of deceased victim Runi Devi, and submit compliance report of payment alongwith proof of payment within six weeks.”

Pursuant to the same, two internal communications have been received including communication dated 01.07.2025 of Joint Secretary to the Govt. of Jharkhand. No actual report has been received.  Let a fresh reminder be issued to Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand for submitting requisite compliance report along with proof of payment within four weeks.

List the matter thereafter.

 
2.     It is therefore, requested that the additional/ complete report as directed by the Commission in the matter be sent latest by 25/10/2025, for futher consideration by the Commission.
 
3.     Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained

Your’s faithfully
Sd/-
Atul Kumar
ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (LAW)
M-5 Section
Ph. No. 011-24663287



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