Bengaluru, Oct 24: A 22-year-old man from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district, identified as Shaheen, has died at a private hospital in Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru, triggering protests by his family members and friends, who have alleged medical negligence and a delay in treatment over insurance clearance and a deposit payment.

The family and friends alleged that the hospital delayed urgent treatment despite the patient’s critical condition, claiming that financial and insurance formalities took precedence over timely medical intervention. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Speaking to the media, Shaheen’s friend Siddharth alleged that the 22-year-old had been vomiting blood profusely when he was admitted to the hospital on October 23. He said Shaheen, who worked for a private company, was admitted following concerns about a respiratory infection and suspected tuberculosis.

According to Siddharth, the group completed the insurance formalities on the night of admission. However, hospital staff allegedly insisted that the insurance approval was incomplete, stating that coverage of ₹1 lakh had been approved while ₹5 lakh was required.

The group subsequently arranged and paid a cash deposit of ₹50,000, Siddharth claimed.

He further alleged that doctors had initially planned to perform surgery at 3 pm but that the procedure was delayed by approximately four hours because of issues relating to insurance and payment.

“After he was taken to the ICU, we were informed within minutes that he had died,” Siddharth said, alleging that the hospital had failed to provide a clear explanation of the cause of death.

He also questioned why the police had been called to the hospital before the family had been fully informed about the situation. Siddharth held the hospital responsible for what he described as a failure to provide timely treatment.

Shaheen’s parents, relatives and friends gathered at the hospital premises to protest, accusing the management of negligence and prioritising financial considerations over the patient’s life.

Tension prevailed outside the hospital following the protests. Yeshwanthpur police personnel were deployed at the premises to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents.

The allegations of medical negligence and treatment delays remain claims made by the family and friends. An official account of the circumstances surrounding Shaheen’s death was not available in the report.