The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued a second notice to AIIMS Bhopal and the Bhopal District Magistrate over the death of a three-year-old cancer patient. The Commission has directed authorities to submit an Action Taken Report within seven days, after reportedly receiving no response to its earlier notice. The proceedings followed a complaint submitted through the CPGRAM portal concerning allegations surrounding the child’s death during treatment. NCPCR took cognisance of the matter on July 22 under the CPCR Act.

NCPCR Issues 7-Day Ultimatum to AIIMS Bhopal Over Toddler Formalin Death Case, Seeks Action Taken Report

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued a second notice to AIIMS Bhopal President Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra and the Bhopal District Magistrate, directing submission of an Action Taken Report within seven days regarding the death of a three-year-old cancer patient.

The NCPCR AIIMS Bhopal formalin death case has entered a crucial phase after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued a second notice demanding an Action Taken Report. According to official communication, AIIMS Bhopal has been given seven days to respond after reportedly failing to reply to the Commission’s earlier notice.

The reminder was emailed at 3:20 PM on August 13, 2026, by Sushil Kumar, Consultant (PM&E), NCPCR. The communication was addressed to the AIIMS Bhopal President, Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, while copies were marked to the Collector and District Magistrate of Bhopal and the original complainant, journalist Shri Unmesh Gujarathi, ensuring procedural transparency throughout the proceedings.

The latest development follows the Commission’s earlier notice, which sought an Action Taken Report after taking cognisance of allegations surrounding the death of a young child undergoing cancer treatment. The Commission has indicated that continued non-compliance may attract further action under applicable legal provisions.

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Complaint Through CPGRAM Triggered NCPCR Action

According to official records, the matter reached the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights through a complaint submitted by journalist Shri Unmesh Gujarathi, a resident of Mumbai, Maharashtra, using the Central Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAM) portal on July 19, 2026.

The complaint referred to a news report titled, “Two nurses at AIIMS Bhopal booked for giving wrong injection to child cancer patient that caused his death,” published on June 14, 2026, requesting intervention into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Following examination of the complaint, the Commission invoked its authority under Section 13(1)(j) of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, and formally took cognisance of the matter on July 22, 2026. While empowered to act suo motu, the Commission clarified that this proceeding originated from a citizen complaint.

The first notice was signed by V. Ramanadha Reddy and addressed to Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, seeking submission of an Action Taken Report within seven days. A copy was simultaneously forwarded to the District Magistrate of Bhopal for monitoring.

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Death of Three-Year-Old Sarthak Yadav Under Investigation

The incident dates back to December 17, 2025, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, where Sarthak Yadav, a three-year-old child from Sagar district, was receiving treatment for B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) in the paediatric ward.

According to reports cited in the complaint, the child’s intravenous line became blocked during treatment. Nurse Madhubala Sharma allegedly administered a syringe containing formalin that had reportedly been prepared by Nurse Anuka Gujarati for a postponed bone marrow biopsy, instead of medication intended for the patient.

The complaint further states that Siddharth Yadav, the child’s father, reportedly attempted to stop the administration, warning that the syringe did not contain medicine. Despite those objections, the injection was allegedly administered before the child’s condition deteriorated rapidly.

Hospital records cited in the complaint indicate the child was shifted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where resuscitation efforts were undertaken before he was declared dead at 8:45 AM on the same day.

An internal inquiry conducted by AIIMS Bhopal reportedly concluded that formalin entered the child’s bloodstream, causing systemic toxicity. The inquiry also highlighted alleged failures involving medication verification procedures and storage of hazardous chemicals within an active patient-care environment.

Based on the reported findings, Bhopal Police registered a criminal case on June 11, 2026. Madhubala Sharma was booked under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to causing death by negligence, while Anuka Gujarati was booked under Section 286 of the BNS concerning negligent handling of dangerous substances.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, constituted under Section 3 of the CPCR Act, 2005, possesses statutory authority to examine violations affecting children’s rights. Section 14 of the Act also grants the Commission powers equivalent to those of a Civil Court, including summoning witnesses, requiring production of documents, and receiving evidence.

The case has renewed discussion regarding patient safety, medication verification protocols and handling of hazardous substances in healthcare institutions, particularly where paediatric patients require specialised care and heightened safeguards.

With the latest seven-day deadline now in effect, attention remains focused on whether AIIMS Bhopal, under Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, submits the required Action Taken Report within the stipulated period. Sprouts News will continue monitoring official developments as the Commission examines compliance and any subsequent proceedings arising from the matter.