Girl and aunt die after snakebite, family alleges hospital negligence

 

By Sagaya Fernando | October 1, 2025

Dombivli, Maharashtra, INDIA: A four-year-old girl and her 24-year-old aunt lost their lives after being bitten by a venomous snake inside their home in Khambalpada, Dombivli, sparking anger and allegations of negligence against Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC)-run hospitals.

The incident occurred around 5 am on Sunday September 28 when the child, Pranavi Bhoir, who had been staying at her maternal grandfather’s house for a week, was asleep next to her aunt Shruti Thakur. Pranavi suddenly cried out, and moments later, Shruti too was bitten by the snake, later identified as a highly venomous common krait.

Both were rushed to KDMC’s Shastri Nagar Hospital, where doctors administered anti-venom. According to relatives, hospital staff assured the family that the victims were stable but recommended transfer to Thane Civil Hospital for advanced care.

However, tragedy struck during the transfer. The family claims that as they arranged a private vehicle, Pranavi collapsed at the hospital gate and was declared dead on arrival at Thane. Shruti, who had been admitted to the ICU of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, battled for two days before succumbing around 2 am on Tuesday September 30.

The deaths have devastated the family—particularly as Shruti was preparing for her wedding next month.

Family Alleges Negligence

Relatives accused Shastri Nagar Hospital of failing to provide adequate care. Pranavi’s grandfather said, “They told us both were stable, but my granddaughter died at the hospital gate. Proper facilities and timely treatment could have saved her life.”

Shruti’s uncle, Satyawan Mhatre, alleged that both Shastri Nagar and Rukhminibai hospitals were unequipped to handle snakebite emergencies, lacking ICUs, ventilators, and specialist care.

Following Shruti’s death, grieving relatives staged a protest outside KDMC’s health department office in Kalyan on Tuesday, demanding strict action against those responsible.

KDMC, Experts Respond

KDMC health officer Dr. Deepa Shukla maintained that doctors at Shastri Nagar Hospital administered a full dose of antivenom immediately. However, given the nature of the bite, she said advanced facilities were essential. “The common krait’s venom is extremely dangerous and neurotoxic. The victims needed ICU and ventilator support, which is available at Thane Civil Hospital. Unfortunately, the child died first, followed by her aunt. An inquiry has been ordered, and action will be taken if negligence is found,” she stated.

Snake expert Vaibhav Kulkarni explained that the common krait is among India’s deadliest snakes. “They are nocturnal and usually bite victims in their sleep. The venom attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis that can quickly affect the respiratory muscles. Survival often depends on immediate anti-venom and ventilator support,” he said.

Political Outrage

The double tragedy has triggered political criticism of KDMC’s healthcare system. MNS leader Manoj Gharat slammed the civic body, saying, “It is shameful that KDMC’s main hospitals lack ICUs and ventilators. If these facilities are only fit for fever and cough, then they should be shut down.”

Call for Upgraded Facilities

The victims’ relatives and local residents are now demanding that KDMC urgently upgrade its hospitals with round-the-clock ICUs, ventilators, and trained specialists to prevent such tragedies in the future.