Delhi High Court comes to rescue of tribal youth

In a shocking case, a tribal youth from Jharkhand with a bullet stuck in his brain for the last two months, was refused admission at AIIMS which shunted him from one department to another before relenting after a terse Delhi High Court order.

On December 6, 21-year-old Shivlal Soren, a resident of Kathikund village in Jharkhand was shot by the police during the demonstration. He was later arrested by the Jharkhand police which brought him to Delhi on January 31 for treatment after trying unsuccessfully at a local hospital.

But coming to Delhi did not see an end to his problems. At AIIMS, he was asked to go from the Trauma Centre to Eye Casualty and then to Neurosurgery department.

Taking up his case, an NGO filed a petition in the High Court which on Tuesday ordered the Medical Superintendent of AIIMS to provide him immediate treatment at the institute.

Shivlal was admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre but his woes are far from being over. He is dependent on Rs 35 per day grant from Jharkhand government for his daily meals. For the time being, he has been accommodated close to the hospital by the NGO.

AIIMS denied reports that Shivlal was refused admission. "Once a patient comes to the OPD, he is referred to other departments for various tests," AIIMS Medical Superintendent D K Sharma said.

The bullet entered through his left eye and settled in his brain. This has affected his vision. Any attempt to remove it could be life threatening," said Dr.Deepak Aggarwal, associate professor of neurosurgery at AIIMS treating Soren.link