Kerala Commission Awards ₹50 Lakh to Mother of Infant Maimed in Botched Circumcision
A consumer commission in Kerala has ordered a doctor and a private hospital to pay ₹50 lakh in compensation to the mother of a 23-day-old infant who suffered permanent genital deformity due to a negligently performed circumcision.
The Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, presided over by President Mohandasan K and members Preethi Sivaraman C and Mohamed Ismayil C V, held the doctor and the hospital jointly liable for the deficiencies in the procedure and the facilities.
The order stated, “The evidence on record establishes that the infant who was only 23 days old underwent circumcision and developed serious complications immediately thereafter.” The commission noted the child’s tender age, the pain and suffering endured, the need for future medical care and reconstructive surgeries, loss of amenities of life, psychological consequences, and uncertainty regarding future urinary, sexual, and reproductive functions.
According to the complaint, the infant was circumcised at the hospital. Soon after, he had difficulty urinating, persistent crying, and urine leakage through the dressing. Despite repeated visits to the hospital, his condition worsened, and he developed an infection. He was later referred to higher medical centres in Thrissur, where he underwent emergency treatment, including urinary diversion surgery. The child’s penis was severely damaged.
The complainant alleged that the treating doctor lacked sufficient experience and that the hospital had inadequate facilities and sterilisation protocols. The family sought ₹50 lakh in compensation for medical negligence, future treatment, and lifelong suffering.
The doctor and the hospital denied negligence, claiming that the circumcision was performed according to medical standards. They argued that the parents failed to administer prescribed medicines and did not return for follow-up. They stated that the hospital had all necessary facilities and that there was no deficiency in service.
Relying on medical records, the commission found that within days of the procedure, the child developed serious complications, including infection, tissue sloughing, meatal stenosis, and compromised viability of the distal penis, requiring specialised tertiary care. The commission also relied on an inquiry by a medical team appointed by the district medical officer, which revealed serious deficiencies in the hospital’s infection control, sterilisation procedures, operation theatre maintenance, and patient safety protocols. The enquiry team noted that the hospital did not maintain proper records of fumigation procedures.
The compensation of ₹50 lakh includes ₹25 lakh for pain, suffering, and psychological impact; ₹25 lakh for future treatment and reconstructive surgeries; and ₹25,000 for litigation costs. The commission underlined the lifelong impact on the child, citing uncertainty about his future urinary, sexual, and reproductive functions.
