The Calcutta High Court on 2nd December directed a private super-specialty hospital here to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the family of a girl who died following a "botched up" operation.

Upholding an order of compensation of Rs 5 lakh given by the West Bengal Health Commission, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya directed the hospital authorities to pay the family within 15 days. The 14-year old girl was admitted to the hospital in the south-eastern part of the city for a gallbladder stone operation on March 18. She died two months after the medical procedure. Alleging that she died due to a botched up operation at the hospital, the family of the girl moved the West Bengal Health Commission.

After hearing both the parties, the commission awarded a compensation of Rs 5 lakh. Challenging the directions, the hospital authorities moved the high court, claiming that the commission has no power to order a compensation. The high court upheld the commission's order, while noting that it has the authority to award compensation of up to Rs 50 lakh.