Thiruvananthapuram:
In a strongly worded order highlighting grave administrative failure and systemic negligence, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the state government to pay ₹5 lakh as compensation to a patient who was trapped inside a malfunctioning lift for nearly 42 hours at a government medical college hospital. The commission described the incident as “extremely serious” and held the authorities responsible for placing a citizen’s life at grave risk through inaction and disregard for basic safety norms.

The compensation has been awarded to Ravindran Nair, a resident of Pongumoodu in Thiruvananthapuram, who endured the harrowing ordeal after becoming stranded inside the lift between July 13 and July 15 last year. The order was issued by KSHRC Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas, who directed that the compensation be paid within two months from the date of the order. A compliance report confirming the disbursal must be submitted to the commission thereafter.

According to the commission’s findings, there was no dispute regarding the core facts of the case. Ravindran Nair was trapped inside the faulty lift from around 11.15 am on July 13 until approximately 6 am on July 15, amounting to nearly 42 hours of confinement. During this period, he remained undiscovered and unaided inside the lift, raising serious questions about safety protocols, monitoring mechanisms, and emergency response systems at one of the state’s premier public healthcare institutions.

Justice Thomas, in his order, observed that the incident was not merely an unfortunate accident but the result of “gross negligence and serious dereliction of duty” on the part of the authorities concerned. He noted that the lift in question was known to be faulty but had neither been locked nor clearly marked with a warning notice to prevent its use. The hospital administration also failed to ensure the presence of a lift operator during the prescribed hours, a lapse that significantly contributed to the incident going unnoticed for such a prolonged period.

The commission emphasised that government medical college hospitals cater to thousands of patients and attendants every day, many of whom are elderly, infirm, or otherwise vulnerable. In such an environment, ensuring the safety and proper functioning of basic infrastructure like lifts is not optional but a fundamental responsibility of the administration. The fact that a patient could remain trapped for nearly two days without detection was described as alarming and indicative of a deeper institutional failure.

“The victim’s life was clearly at risk, and his survival was a matter of sheer luck,” Justice Thomas observed in the order. He added that the incident could easily have resulted in a loss of life, making the responsibility of the officials involved all the more serious. The commission held that the authorities bore direct responsibility for exposing the complainant to physical danger and severe mental trauma.

While directing the state government to pay compensation, the KSHRC clarified that the government would be free to recover the amount from those found responsible for the lapse, in accordance with law. This includes officials whose negligence contributed to the incident, as well as any other parties who may be held accountable following a detailed inquiry. The commission also stated that the state could initiate legal proceedings against the company entrusted with servicing and maintaining the lift, if any failure or breach of contractual obligations was established on its part.

In addition to monetary compensation, the commission issued specific directions to ensure the continued care and rehabilitation of the victim. The superintendent of the state-run medical college hospital has been directed to provide Ravindran Nair with all necessary medical treatment free of cost. This includes not only treatment for any physical complications arising from the incident but also psychological care, if required, to address the mental and emotional trauma caused by the prolonged confinement.

The commission underlined that mental trauma, fear, and emotional distress suffered by a person trapped in such circumstances cannot be underestimated. Being confined in a closed space for 42 hours, without assistance or certainty of rescue, can have lasting psychological consequences. The hospital authorities were therefore instructed to take full responsibility for ensuring appropriate follow-up care.

Justice Thomas also addressed the issue of compensation quantum in his order. While acknowledging that the complainant was clearly entitled to compensation for the violation of his human rights, the commission noted that the amount originally sought was not reasonable under the circumstances. After considering all relevant factors, including the nature of the negligence, the duration of the confinement, and the suffering endured by the victim, the commission fixed the compensation at ₹5 lakh.

The case assumed significance not only because of the shocking nature of the incident but also due to the manner in which it came to light. The KSHRC took suo motu cognisance of the matter based on media reports, even as Ravindran Nair himself filed a separate complaint before the commission. This dual initiation underscored the gravity of the incident and the broader public interest involved in ensuring accountability within public healthcare institutions.

The commission’s order serves as a reminder that human rights obligations extend beyond deliberate acts of abuse and include the duty of the state to protect individuals from harm arising out of negligence and administrative apathy. In a public hospital setting, where patients entrust their safety and well-being to the state, failures in basic infrastructure management can amount to a serious violation of human rights.

By holding the authorities accountable and ordering compensation, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission has sent a strong message about the importance of safety, vigilance, and responsibility in public institutions. The case also highlights the need for regular audits, strict enforcement of safety protocols, and swift corrective action when lapses are identified, especially in facilities that serve large and vulnerable populations.

As the state government moves to comply with the order, the incident is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of lift safety, maintenance contracts, and monitoring systems in government hospitals across Kerala. For Ravindran Nair, the compensation and assurances of free medical and psychological care may offer some measure of relief, but the episode stands as a stark example of how institutional neglect can turn routine hospital visits into life-threatening ordeals.