Mumbai: A senior city-based executive has lodged a formal complaint alleging gross medical negligence and malpractice against Dr Rajeev V Punjabi of Tulip Women’s Health Care Centre, Khar.
The complaint pertains to a laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure, after which the patient claims she suffered serious complications and harm. Dr Punjabi, who is also associated with several other hospitals in the city, has further been accused of unprofessional conduct in post-operative care.
According to her complaint, Dr Punjabi allegedly caused a thermal injury to her left ureter by using “excess current density during cauterization”. The executive claims the doctor initially admitted this to her family, but later described it as a “known complication”.
She maintains she was in perfect health prior to surgery, and had been assured the procedure was routine. Independent medical experts, consulted later, reportedly confirmed that the injury was due to poor surgical skill and lack of precision, rather than an unavoidable complication.
Within three days of surgery, the patient reportedly developed severe abdominal spasms and urine leakage - classic indicators of a ureteric injury. However, she alleges that these red flags were dismissed by Dr Punjabi as routine post-operative pain. Despite repeated complaints, his medical notes allegedly stated: “All healing well.”
It was only on Day 7 that urgent tests were conducted, which revealed a 500cc pelvic urinoma. According to the complaint, the collection went undrained during the initial corrective surgery, leaving her to endure 264 hours of escalating pain until a third operation was performed.
She further alleges that three corrective surgeries performed by Dr Punjabi were incomplete and poorly executed, with delays in removing surgical drains and a catheter, exposing her to infection and prolonged hospitalization. Her condition stabilized only after she turned to other specialists, who carried out two major surgeries to repair the damage. In total, the ordeal involved five additional surgeries, relentless pain, emotional trauma, and what she describes as a “hell” and a “near-death experience”, leaving her with lasting physical limitations.
Beyond medical negligence, she further claims Dr Punjabi initially denied the existence of the surgery recording, later providing only an edited version when pressed. His conduct, she alleges, also involved overcharging for equipment and procedures and even threatening her mother.
In response to her legal notices, Dr Punjabi has reportedly issued blanket denials and filed a defamation case against her. The victim has meanwhile filed a police complaint and reported the matter to the Medical Council of India, seeking accountability.
The executive’s case has drawn widespread public attention and support, spotlighting the risks posed by medical negligence even in non-fatal cases. The executive has since become a voice for other women with similar experiences, urging stricter oversight, transparency and accountability in medical practice.
“This is not a single lapse; it is a sustained chain of negligence, malpractice and concealment,” she said. “At every point where skill, vigilance, or integrity was required, he failed. How can such a doctor continue to put unsuspecting women at risk?”
Dr Punjabi refuses to comment
When contacted, Dr Punjabi told Metro Vaartha that the matter was subjudice. It was pending in court and so he would be unable to comment on it. Besides, there was a complaint with the police too, he added.