An FIR has been registered against two nursing officers at AIIMS Bhopal after a three-year-old blood cancer patient died allegedly after being injected with formalin instead of a prescribed medicine. The child, identified as Sarthak Yadav from Korja village in Sagar district’s Bina tehsil, was admitted to the paediatric ward on December 15, 2025, after his condition worsened due to leukaemia.
The incident took place in December 2025. According to the report, the child was given an injection on the morning of December 17 during treatment. The injection was allegedly mistaken for a prescribed medicine, after which the child’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
FCRF’s Flagship Cyber Law Certification Returns With a New Four-Week Cohort
Wrong Injection Allegedly Given During Treatment
The hospital’s internal inquiry found that the child’s IV line had been blocked. During this time, nursing officer Madhubala Sharma, who was on duty, allegedly injected the contents of a syringe marked with the letter “F” without proper identification or verification.
The report stated that the syringe contained formalin. Family members alleged that the child’s father had repeatedly warned staff that the medicine in the syringe did not appear to be the prescribed drug, but his warning was not heeded.
After the injection was administered, the child’s condition reportedly worsened within moments. He became unconscious and was shifted immediately to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, where doctors tried to save him for several hours.
Internal Probe Finds Nursing Lapses
The child was declared dead at 8:45 am. The internal inquiry committee concluded that formalin entering the body through the veins was the direct cause of death. The committee also held nursing staff responsible for serious negligence in the incident.
The inquiry further found that another nursing staff member, Anuka Gujarati, had filled formalin into a syringe for laboratory use and kept it near the patient’s bed instead of placing it in a safe location as required under hospital protocol.
The report explained that formalin, or formaldehyde gas dissolved in water, is used in hospitals and laboratories to preserve biological samples and tissue specimens. Experts consider it highly toxic, and it is not meant to be injected into the human body under any circumstances.
Police Register Case, Accused Absconding
Bagsewaniya police registered a case on June 11 against the two nursing officers on the basis of the inquiry report. SHO Amit Soni told Aaj Tak that Madhubala Sharma has been booked under BNS Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence.
The second nursing staff member, Anuka Gujarati, has been booked under Section 286 for unsafe storage and use of a dangerous chemical. Police said the investigation is continuing and both accused are currently absconding.
The case has raised serious questions over hospital safety protocols, medicine verification procedures and the handling of hazardous chemicals in patient care areas. Further action will depend on the police investigation and evidence collected in the case.
