Hundreds of people on Thursday blocked the Delhi-Jaipur-Mumbai National Highway here in Manesar for hours over the death of a 21-year-old man, who died due to alleged medical negligence at a private hospital here, police said.

The protesters kept the body of the deceased at IMT Manesar Chowk here, which caused a heavy traffic jam and blocked the National Highway-48. The deceased, who was a B.Tech second-year student at Amity University in Haryana, was admitted to the hospital on February 20, and died on Thursday due to the negligence of the doctors, the family alleged. "Patient was admitted to the hospital on the night of February 20, following a complaint of fluid in the lungs. During the procedure of draining the fluid, air entered into his lungs and he died due to air embolism," said a family member, who is also a medical student.

"The doctors tried to show that the patient suffered a heart attack. They also put the body on a ventilator to mislead us and divert us from the real cause of the death. He died on early hours of Thursday," he said. The protesters wanted Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to come to the spot and were demanding stringent action against Paras Hospital and the doctors who treated the man. Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Ashok Bakshi reached the spot and assured the protesters of strict legal action against the hospital and the doctors after which the highway was cleared.

"Orders have been issued to register an FIR against the accused. Post-mortem report is awaited," Bakshi said. No one from Paras management was available for comment. "I will convey your message to the doctor and hospital management. They will contact you, if they wish," said Neeraj Kumar, assistant of Dr Arunesh Kumar, who was leading the team treating the deceased patient.