RailEnquiry

MUMBAI: The Bombay HC on Monday directed the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Railway Hospital in Byculla to examine a train accident victim to see if further treatment can be given to her, including fitting her with a prosthetic limb. It has directed that a report to be submitted to it.A bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice K R Shriram heard a petition by Bhiwandi resident Bhavika Mehta (23), who lost her left leg after a scuffle with a thief during her journey from Amritsar to Mumbai on June 5, 2012. Bhavika had moved court with her father and brother, urging direction to the railways to treat her at the railway hospital.

Around 1.45am on June 5, a thief on board the Amritsar Express allegedly snatched her purse from under her head while she slept. She woke up and grabbed one end of the purse and chased the thief. He jumped off the train, dragging Bhavika along. Her left leg came under the train. Her father and brother also jumped to save her and were injured. "Her advocate Deval Anja said there were no railway police personnel present. "For an hour, there was no help during which her leg could have been saved," said Anja, adding that she was given first-aid at Ambala station. She was taken to Ambala Civil Hospital where her leg was amputated. She was shifted to a Chandigarh hospital and discharged on June 7, 2012.

The petition said BHabika was brought to Mumbai and admitted to a private hospital. Her petition said the family was compelled to treat her in a private hospital despite there being a railway hospital. The Central Railway advocate told the court that her bills have been submitted to them. The judges said the petitioner's request is for taking treatment in the railway hospital and the hospital must examine if she requires further treatment, including use of prosthetic limb. They asked Bhavika to meet the chief medical superintendent of the railway hospital on August 2, 2013. The next hearing is after two weeks.