Chandigarh/Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A medical negligence complaint has been filed against Chandigarh-based dental surgeon Pratima Duggal following the death of 42-year-old Calgary-linked patient Amrita Bedi after a dental implant procedure in Chandigarh in May 2026.
The complaint, filed under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), seeks FIR registration, seizure of CCTV footage, and preservation of all medical and digital records. The procedure was reportedly conducted at Alpha Chandigarh Multispecialty Hospital after consultations initiated from Canada, with treatment planning done remotely.
According to the allegations, the patient was considered a high-risk case due to obesity and anticipated airway difficulty, but the procedure proceeded under general anaesthesia. The family claims multiple failed attempts were made to insert a breathing tube, during which oxygen levels dropped sharply, leading to critical complications.
The complaint further alleges that dental material entered the patient’s airway and lungs, causing severe respiratory distress. The patient reportedly suffered cardiac arrest and was given CPR before being shifted to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), where she was declared dead.
The family has also alleged delays in emergency response, inadequate anaesthesia handling, and poor coordination during transfer to the tertiary care hospital. Post-mortem observations reportedly indicated injuries in the throat and presence of foreign material in the lungs, though official forensic conclusions are still awaited.
Investigators have not yet confirmed liability, and no court has made any finding against Pratima Duggal or the hospitals involved. The matter remains under investigation, with the family seeking a full forensic probe and independent medical review.
