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Video shows critical patient’s relative washing ambulance, inquiry underway

Incident took place in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district. Officials say no complaint received yet.

Authorities have initiated an inquiry to establish the sequence of events and determine whether the victim’s family was compelled to pay money or clean the ambulance as a precondition for moving the patient.Authorities are probing whether victim’s family was compelled to pay money or clean the ambulance as a precondition for moving the patient. (Special Arrangement/Screenshot)

A video showing relatives of a critically injured road accident victim being allegedly forced to clean an ambulance before his transfer has triggered outrage in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district. Hospital authorities said they had taken cognisance of the incident, but claimed no formal complaint had been filed.

The incident involves 32-year-old Rahul Barman, who suffered severe injuries in a road accident near Karela village and was brought to the district hospital in Katni. Doctors referred him to Jabalpur after his condition remained critical. During the process of arranging the transfer, a video surfaced, purportedly showing a woman relative washing a 108 ambulance while a staff member stood by, prompting allegations of misconduct within the hospital premises.

Responding to the controversy, Civil Surgeon Dr Yashwant Verma said, “We have not received any written complaint, but we have taken cognisance of the incident. We are asking the ambulance driver for an explanation. The other staff have been warned not to repeat this.”

Officials said notices have been issued to the ambulance driver and the in-charge, seeking their responses within a week, and further action would depend on the explanations submitted. Separately, the private agency operating the ambulance service has terminated two employees allegedly involved in the incident.

Authorities have initiated an inquiry to establish the sequence of events and determine whether the victim’s family was compelled to pay money or clean the ambulance as a precondition for moving the patient.

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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