A private clinic in Koderma was sealed on Thursday evening after allegations that it detained a new mother and her newborn over unpaid medical bills, prompting the district administration to order an inquiry into the clinic’s records and the referral made by a government health facility.
Puni Kumari, a resident of Yogiyatilha under Jainagar police station, approached Koderma Deputy Commissioner Utkarsh Gupta and Civil Surgeon Dr Anil Kumar after being treated at the private clinic following the onset of labour on September 29. According to her family’s complaint, she was shifted from a government health facility to the private clinic for treatment.
The family alleged that the clinic quoted Rs 35,000 for surgery, medicines and treatment. They said they paid Rs 32,000 but the clinic management refused to discharge Kumari until the remaining amount was paid. Kumari and her newborn were released after Gupta intervened, according to the report.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the Civil Surgeon to take action against the clinic. He also said action would be taken against the government hospital staffer who allegedly referred the patient to the private facility. The referral is now part of the administrative inquiry, making the case broader than a dispute over a medical bill.
Civil Surgeon Dr Anil Kumar said the clinic had no patient records or treatment documents. Following the inspection, the facility was sealed. The absence of records could affect the administration’s ability to establish what treatment was provided, what charges were levied and whether the referral and admission process followed required procedures.
The case also places attention on the practical consequences for families moved between public and private healthcare facilities during emergencies. When a patient is referred from a government facility, the family may have limited time to compare costs, treatment options or the credentials of the receiving establishment. Any dispute over discharge can then become difficult to resolve without documented treatment and payment records.
The clinic’s position differs from the allegations. Dr Ashish Kumar denied wrongdoing and said proper care had been provided. The report did not specify the duration of the alleged detention, the legal provisions under which the clinic was sealed or whether any criminal case had been registered.
The district administration’s next steps are expected to include examination of the clinic’s treatment and billing records, verification of the government referral and determination of responsibility for the alleged refusal to discharge the mother and child. The inquiry will also establish the basis for further action against the clinic and the government hospital staffer, if violations are found.
