Patient died after Haryana BJP leader blocked ambulance, says family

Haryana Police are investigating a complaint from the family of a patient who died after the ambulance carrying him was allegedly stopped by a BJP leader in Fatehabad town following a minor accident.

The victim's family alleged that nearly 30 minutes of precious time was lost after Fatehabad Municipal Council President Darshan Nagpal, who is from the ruling BJP in Haryana, stopped the ambulance to argue with the ambulance driver.

"The patient died before he could be rushed to the local hospital. Our pleas to the BJP leader to let us go went unheeded," Arun Kumar, a relative of the deceased Naveen Kumar, told media in Fatehabad, around 225 km from here, on Monday.

The patient had cardio issues and was being rushed to a cardiologist.

Atma Ram, the in-charge of Fatehabad city police station, said the matter was being investigated.

The victim's family alleged that the ambulance brushed Nagpal's car which infuriated the BJP leader who chased the ambulance and stopped it.

The family alleged that the police was unwilling to register a case against the powerful local BJP leader.

Nagpal denied allegations that he stopped the ambulance.

He claimed that he followed the ambulance up to the hospital and confronted the driver there.

--IANS

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