Man’s eye goes missing at Patna Hospital after bullet injury death; Family alleges foul play

At Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna, the left eye of a man who died from a bullet injury went missing just hours after his death. Fantush Kumar, 25, a resident of Hurari village, was admitted to NMCH on November 14 after being shot in the abdomen by unidentified assailants. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, Kumar was declared dead at 8:55 pm on November 15.

Kumar’s family remained with him in the ICU until around 1 am on Saturday, November 16. However, when they returned a few hours later, they discovered that his left eye was missing. The family immediately raised concerns about the handling of the body, suspecting foul play. They reported the incident to hospital staff, and an internal investigation was launched.

In response to the family’s allegations, the hospital administration suggested that rats could have gnawed the eye after the death. Dr. Vinod Kumar Singh, the Medical Superintendent at NMCH, confirmed that this possibility was being considered. "The possibility of rats biting off the eye cannot be ignored," Dr. Singh said, while emphasizing that the hospital was awaiting the post-mortem report to further investigate. He added that a four-member team had been set up to look into the incident.

Meanwhile, the police have initiated their own investigation into the matter. Police officials, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Atulesh Kumar Jha, have begun reviewing CCTV footage from the ICU and surrounding areas. They are also in the process of questioning both the hospital staff and the family members to understand the sequence of events. The police are looking into the possibility of negligence, criminal activity, or other explanations for the missing eye. An FIR has been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.

The post-mortem examination of Kumar’s body, which could not be conducted on the night of his death, was carried out on Saturday morning. The autopsy report is expected to provide further clarity on the cause of death and whether any foul play occurred. Dr. Singh explained that if the eye had been surgically removed within a few hours of death, it could have been used for corneal transplantation. However, since the eye was discovered missing several hours after Kumar's death, it would have been of no use for such a procedure.

The hospital’s handling of the situation has raised questions about its procedures and patient care, particularly regarding post-mortem protocols and security in the ICU. The family is demanding a thorough investigation, with some members suggesting the possibility of medical staff involvement. Police are now reviewing all medical records and statements from the hospital staff to determine whether any medical protocols were violated.