The Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of The Indian Express report highlighting the shocking incident where the body of internationally acclaimed algoza player Karamjit Singh Bagga decomposed at the Civil Hospital in Mohali. In an official communication, the commission comprising Justice Gurbir Singh has called for a detailed report from the Civil Surgeon, Mohali, and the Chief Engineer, PSPCL, Mohali. The report is to be submitted a week before the next hearing scheduled for December 2. The commission noted that, as per the news report titled “Algoza player’s body decomposes as power outage shuts off freezer”, the incident occurred after a prolonged power failure caused the freezer storing Bagga’s body to stop functioning. The family of the deceased also alleged that the hospital failed to preserve the body properly, compounding their grief. Taking serious note of the matter, the human rights panel directed that copies of the order and the news report be sent to the Civil Surgeon, Mohali, and the Chief Engineer, PSPCL, Mohali, for compliance, and to the Director, Health Services and Family Welfare, Punjab, for information. “The commission takes suo motu cognizance in the matter and calls for a report,” the order stated, adding that the officials must ensure accountability for the lapse that led to such a distressing incident. A case has been registered and is listed for hearing on December 2.
