Cancer patient, 3, dies after nurse injects him with formalin at AIIMS Bhopal
A three-year-old boy being treated for leukaemia at AIIMS Bhopal allegedly died after formalin was injected into his vein. An internal inquiry blamed gross negligence by nursing staff, and police have booked two officials.
A three-year-old boy undergoing treatment for blood cancer at AIIMS Bhopal allegedly died after formalin was injected into his vein instead of the prescribed medication, prompting police to register an FIR against two nursing officials months after the incident.
The case, which dates back to December 2025, came to light following an internal hospital investigation that concluded the toxic chemical directly caused the child's death and pointed to serious lapses in protocol.
CHILD WAS UNDERGOING LEUKEMIA TREATMENT
The deceased, Sarthak Yadav, was a resident of a village in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district. Suffering from leukemia, he was admitted to the paediatric ward at AIIMS Bhopal on December 15, 2025, after his condition deteriorated.
According to the hospital's internal inquiry, a critical error occurred on the morning of December 17 during treatment.
The report says the child's intravenous line had become blocked. During the procedure, nursing officer Madhubala Sharma allegedly injected a substance from a syringe marked with the letter "F" without properly identifying or verifying its contents.
Family members have alleged that Sarthak's father repeatedly warned hospital staff that the syringe did not contain the prescribed medicine. They claim his concerns were ignored and that he was instead reprimanded and asked to remain quiet.
Moments after the injection, the child's condition reportedly worsened rapidly. He became unconscious and was rushed to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Doctors attempted to revive him for an extended period, but Sarthak was declared dead at 8.45 am.
INTERNAL PROBE POINTS TO FORMALIN
The hospital's inquiry later found that the syringe used on the child contained formalin.
Formalin is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas and is commonly used in hospitals and laboratories to preserve biopsy samples and human tissues. Medical experts regard it as a highly toxic chemical and it is not intended to be injected into the human body under any circumstances.
The investigation further found that another nursing staff member, Anuka Gujarati, had filled the syringe with formalin for laboratory use. Instead of storing it in a secure location as required under hospital protocol, it was allegedly left near a patient's bed.
The inquiry committee concluded that the entry of formalin into the child's bloodstream was the direct cause of death and held nursing staff responsible for gross negligence.
FIR REGISTERED, ACCUSED MISSING
Based on the findings of the inquiry report, police in Bhopal registered a case against the two nursing officials on June 11.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, sister company of India Today, Bagsewania police station SHO Amit Soni said Madhubala Sharma has been booked under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence.
A separate FIR has been registered against Anuka Gujarati under Section 286 for the unsafe handling and storage of a hazardous chemical.
Police said the investigation is ongoing. Both accused are currently absconding.
QUESTIONS OVER HOSPITAL SAFETY PROTOCOLS
The incident has triggered serious concerns over medication verification procedures and the handling of hazardous chemicals inside one of the country's premier medical institutions.
The findings of the internal inquiry suggest that a combination of improper storage practices and a failure to verify the contents of a syringe before administration may have led to a fatal outcome for a child who was already battling a life-threatening illness.
A three-year-old boy undergoing treatment for blood cancer at AIIMS Bhopal allegedly died after formalin was injected into his vein instead of the prescribed medication, prompting police to register an FIR against two nursing officials months after the incident.
The case, which dates back to December 2025, came to light following an internal hospital investigation that concluded the toxic chemical directly caused the child's death and pointed to serious lapses in protocol.
CHILD WAS UNDERGOING LEUKEMIA TREATMENT
The deceased, Sarthak Yadav, was a resident of a village in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district. Suffering from leukemia, he was admitted to the paediatric ward at AIIMS Bhopal on December 15, 2025, after his condition deteriorated.
According to the hospital's internal inquiry, a critical error occurred on the morning of December 17 during treatment.
The report says the child's intravenous line had become blocked. During the procedure, nursing officer Madhubala Sharma allegedly injected a substance from a syringe marked with the letter "F" without properly identifying or verifying its contents.
Family members have alleged that Sarthak's father repeatedly warned hospital staff that the syringe did not contain the prescribed medicine. They claim his concerns were ignored and that he was instead reprimanded and asked to remain quiet.
Moments after the injection, the child's condition reportedly worsened rapidly. He became unconscious and was rushed to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Doctors attempted to revive him for an extended period, but Sarthak was declared dead at 8.45 am.
INTERNAL PROBE POINTS TO FORMALIN
The hospital's inquiry later found that the syringe used on the child contained formalin.
Formalin is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas and is commonly used in hospitals and laboratories to preserve biopsy samples and human tissues. Medical experts regard it as a highly toxic chemical and it is not intended to be injected into the human body under any circumstances.
The investigation further found that another nursing staff member, Anuka Gujarati, had filled the syringe with formalin for laboratory use. Instead of storing it in a secure location as required under hospital protocol, it was allegedly left near a patient's bed.
The inquiry committee concluded that the entry of formalin into the child's bloodstream was the direct cause of death and held nursing staff responsible for gross negligence.
FIR REGISTERED, ACCUSED MISSING
Based on the findings of the inquiry report, police in Bhopal registered a case against the two nursing officials on June 11.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, sister company of India Today, Bagsewania police station SHO Amit Soni said Madhubala Sharma has been booked under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence.
A separate FIR has been registered against Anuka Gujarati under Section 286 for the unsafe handling and storage of a hazardous chemical.
Police said the investigation is ongoing. Both accused are currently absconding.
QUESTIONS OVER HOSPITAL SAFETY PROTOCOLS
The incident has triggered serious concerns over medication verification procedures and the handling of hazardous chemicals inside one of the country's premier medical institutions.
The findings of the internal inquiry suggest that a combination of improper storage practices and a failure to verify the contents of a syringe before administration may have led to a fatal outcome for a child who was already battling a life-threatening illness.
