Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered the state government to pay ₹5 lakh as compensation in connection with the incident in which a patient was trapped inside a lift at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) for 42 hours.

SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas directed that the compensation be paid to Ravindran Nair, a native of Pongumoodu, within two months. The order stated that the government may subsequently recover the amount from those responsible, in accordance with the law.

“There was grave dereliction of duty and serious negligence on the part of the officials concerned, and the life of the patient could have been lost,” the commission observed in its order. If lapses are found on the part of the company responsible for servicing the lift, the government is free to initiate legal action against it. SHRC also directed that a compliance report be submitted after the compensation is paid.

Justice Alexander Thomas further ordered that the superintendent of the Thiruvananthapuram MCH provide Ravindran Nair with all necessary treatment, free of cost, for the physical and mental trauma suffered due to the incident. If required, the services of a clinical psychologist should also be made available.

The order noted that there was no dispute among the respondents regarding the fact that Ravindran Nair was trapped in the lift from 11.15 am on July 13, 2025, until 6 am on July 15, 2025. The commission found that the malfunctioning lift had not been locked or marked with a warning sign.

According to the inquiry report, the lift frequently malfunctioned and continued to break down even after repairs, warranting greater caution. The commission said the incident was particularly serious given that thousands of patients visit the medical college daily and noted that Ravindran Nair survived “only due to sheer luck”. SHRC registered the case suo motu based on media reports, while Ravindran Nair had also filed a separate complaint.