The Central Hospital authorities have filed a defamation lawsuit seeking Tk500 crore in damages against Dr Sangjukta Saha for her derogatory remarks made at a press conference about the hospital, relating to the deaths of Mahbuba Rahman Ankhi and her newborn child.
The case was filed at the First Joint District Judge’s Court of Judge Md Masudul Haque on Thursday, confirmed lawyer Mohammad Mazharul Islam, representing the plaintiff.
“The case has been filed seeking Tk500 crore in compensation. The court fee related to this case has been paid. Now a summons will be issued against the defendant, Sangjukta Saha,” he said.
Prior to this, a legal notice demanding a retraction of the statements was sent to Sangjukta Saha on June 22.
It also warned that legal action will be taken if her statement is not withdrawn within seven days of receiving the notice.
According to the legal notice, Dr Saha made several false and misleading statements about the treatment of Mahbuba Rahman Ankhi and her newborn at the Central Hospital in the press conference.
Ankhi was not her patient and the hospital has made false statements about her, she said at the conference on June 20.
She alleged that the hospital did not take any consent from her and questioned how she could be held responsible for the incident if she was not present during the operation.
These statements are not only baseless but also tarnishing the reputation of the hospital, read the notice.
The notice also said that Dr Sangjukta held a press conference at her residence without consulting the hospital authorities. She violated the terms and conditions and acted in a manner which damaged the brand and reputation of the hospital.
Mahbuba Rahman Ankhi, reportedly fell victim to deception and wrong treatment following a misleading advertisement promising pain-free normal delivery by Dr Sangjukta Saha at Central Hospital.
She was apparently admitted under Professor Dr Sangjukta Saha’s supervision due to labour pains.
An alleged botched surgery at the hospital led to her newborn’s death earlier this month and her’s as well eight days after.
The Central Hospital authorities acknowledged their negligence and blamed Dr Sangjukta Saha for the wrong treatment of Mahbuba Rahman Ankhi.
