’We admit our mistake’

Reeda Shaikh's family to withdraw Rs 5 crore compensation claim against Jehangir hospital, Ruby Hall Clinic; will refile claim with a lesser amount

'We admit our mistake'

Reeda Shaikh's family to withdraw Rs 5 crore compensation claim against Jehangir hospital, Ruby Hall Clinic; will refile claim with a lesser amount

The family of the first swine flu victim of the country, Pune schoolgirl Reeda Shaikh, has decided to withdraw their Rs 5 crore compensation claim that they had filed against Jehangir hospital and Ruby Hall Clinic.

Soon after Reeda's death, the family had filed two cases against the hospitals a criminal case alleging medical negligence on the part of hospital authorities and physician Dr Sanjay Agrawal, and a consumer petition with the National Consumer Redressal Commission seeking Rs 5 crore as compensation.

Speaking to MiD DAY, Reeda's aunt Ayesha Shaikh, who is handling the legal matters, said, "We admit we made a mistake. We went a bit overboard while filing for compensation."

Abnormally high
Ayesha said that the family would now withdraw their case as the compensation amount is abnormally high.

"Money isn't of importance to us, we want to win the case. The present amount is way too high and we know that it is difficult. That's the reason we have decided to withdraw the case and file a fresh plea at the state level," she added.

This time the compensation amount would be much lesser. Though she refused to specify what the amount would be.

"I can't tell you exactly, our lawyer would know that. Even the last time he quoted the amount and came to know only after the case was filed," said Ayesha.

Incidentally, about 15 days ago, the compensation case had come up for hearing in New Delhi, where the commission studied the application and sought information from the family regarding the amount askedu00a0 as compensation.

When asked about the status of the criminal case, Ayesha said that they were pursuing it diligently.

"Recently we learnt that the committee set up to conduct an inquiry into Reeda's death has given a clean chit to both the hospitals. If that is the case, we'll not take this lying down and will demand for a private committee to be formed and not a government committee," said Ayesha.