A tragic case of alleged medical negligence at AIIMS Bhopal has led to criminal proceedings after a three-year-old boy undergoing treatment for blood cancer reportedly died when formalin was injected into his vein instead of the prescribed medication. The incident, which occurred in December 2025, came under scrutiny following an internal hospital investigation that found serious procedural lapses and concluded that the toxic chemical directly caused the child's death.
The victim, Sarthak Yadav, was a resident of a village in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district. He had been suffering from leukaemia and was admitted to the paediatric ward of AIIMS Bhopal on December 15, 2025, after his health condition worsened and required specialised medical care.
According to the findings of the hospital's internal inquiry, a critical mistake took place on the morning of December 17 while medical staff were attending to the child. Investigators found that Sarthak's intravenous line had become blocked, prompting nursing staff to intervene. During the procedure, nursing officer Madhubala Sharma allegedly administered a substance from a syringe marked with the letter “F” without properly checking or confirming what it contained.
Family members later alleged that Sarthak's father repeatedly warned hospital staff that the syringe did not contain the medication prescribed for his son. However, according to the family, his concerns were ignored. They claimed that instead of examining the issue, staff members allegedly asked him to remain quiet and dismissed his objections.
Soon after the injection was administered, the child's condition reportedly deteriorated dramatically. He allegedly became unconscious within moments and was rushed to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for emergency treatment. Doctors made extensive efforts to save him and attempted resuscitation for a prolonged period, but despite their efforts, Sarthak was declared dead at 8:45 am.
The hospital's internal investigation later revealed that the syringe used on the child allegedly contained formalin, a chemical solution commonly used in hospitals and laboratories for preserving tissue samples and biopsy specimens. Formalin contains formaldehyde and is regarded as highly toxic. Medical experts emphasise that it is never intended for injection into the human body and can cause catastrophic consequences if introduced into the bloodstream.
The inquiry further found that another nursing staff member, Anuka Gujarati, had reportedly filled the syringe with formalin for laboratory-related purposes. Instead of being stored securely according to established safety protocols, the syringe was allegedly left near a patient's bed, creating the possibility of a fatal mix-up.
After examining the sequence of events, the inquiry committee concluded that the formalin entered the child's bloodstream and directly caused his death. The report held nursing personnel responsible for gross negligence and highlighted multiple failures in following safety procedures, medication verification protocols, and hazardous chemical handling guidelines.
Based on the inquiry findings, police in Bhopal registered criminal cases against the two nursing officials on June 11. According to police officials, nursing officer Madhubala Sharma has been booked under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence. Meanwhile, Anuka Gujarati has been booked under Section 286 for the improper handling and storage of a hazardous substance.
Police officials stated that the investigation remains ongoing and that efforts are being made to gather additional evidence regarding the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Authorities also confirmed that both accused officials are currently absconding and have not yet been taken into custody.
The incident has raised serious questions about patient safety measures, medication administration practices, and the handling of hazardous chemicals within one of India's premier healthcare institutions. The findings suggest that a combination of unsafe storage practices, inadequate verification procedures, and alleged negligence by medical personnel may have resulted in the preventable death of a young child who was already fighting a life-threatening illness.
The case has sparked concern among medical professionals, patient rights advocates, and the general public, with many calling for stricter safeguards to prevent similar incidents in hospitals. As the police investigation progresses, attention remains focused on accountability, institutional responsibility, and whether systemic changes will be implemented to ensure that such a devastating mistake is never repeated.
