The family of a 19-year-old Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary from Surandai, who died following a snakebite after allegedly facing hours of delay in receiving treatment, has petitioned the Tenkasi District Collector seeking action against staff at two government hospitals for allegedly refusing to open their gates during a medical emergency, as reported in The New Indian Express.
The deceased, identified as K. Akash, died at the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH) after battling complications arising from a snakebite. Following complaints from the family, the district health department has initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his treatment and death.
According to a petition submitted to the Collector by Akash’s father, A. Krishnan, the teenager had to be taken to multiple government healthcare facilities and a private clinic across a distance of more than 110 kilometres before he could receive proper treatment.
The incident reportedly occurred on the night of June 3, when Akash and his 14-year-old cousin Chinnadurai were sleeping at a relative’s house in Surandai. During the night, both began experiencing severe stomach pain and discomfort.
Believing it to be a medical emergency, relatives rushed the two boys on a two-wheeler to the nearby VK Pudur Government Hospital, located about three kilometres away. However, the family alleged that the hospital’s compound gate was closed and that despite repeated attempts to attract the attention of hospital staff, the gate was not opened.
Unable to secure treatment there, the family transported the boys to the Government Hospital at Alangulam, situated approximately 20 kilometres away. According to the petition, the compound gate at Alangulam Government Hospital was also found closed. Family members alleged that staff did not initially permit them entry, resulting in further delay.
The two boys were then taken to a private clinic in Alangulam, where they were administered an injection. They were subsequently brought to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Surandai for further treatment.
Doctors at the Surandai PHC referred both patients to the Tenkasi District Government Headquarters Hospital (GHQH) and arranged for their transfer in an ambulance.
At the district hospital, doctors reportedly informed the family that both boys had likely been bitten by a snake. Following this, relatives inspected the room where the boys had been sleeping and allegedly discovered a common krait, one of India’s most venomous snakes.
As the condition of both patients deteriorated, they were referred to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
While Chinnadurai recovered and was later discharged from hospital, Akash’s condition remained critical. Despite undergoing treatment for nearly a week, he failed to respond and died at TvMCH on June 10.
— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) June 17, 2026
In his petition, Krishnan alleged that proper treatment for his son began only after a delay of nearly five hours because staff at the two government hospitals failed to open their gates during the emergency.
Following the complaint, the district administration ordered an inquiry into the incident. Acting on the Collector’s instructions, the district health department has begun investigating the allegations and the sequence of events leading to the teenager’s death.
In a further development, the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DM&RHS) has deputed an Additional Director of Medical Services (ADMS) from Chennai to conduct a detailed inquiry into the treatment provided to Akash at the various government health institutions where he was taken after the snakebite. According to an official communication issued by the Directorate, the inquiry is scheduled to be conducted on June 19, 2026, and will examine the sequence of events at all healthcare facilities involved in the case.
Additional Director of Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (ADMS) from Chennai will conduct an inquiry tomorrow into the death of 19-year-old snakebite victim Akash at different health institutions where he was taken for treatment https://t.co/sWGgmLbsNl pic.twitter.com/erOeGzCqej
— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) June 18, 2026
An FIR was also registered.
FIR registered in this connection pic.twitter.com/xUOaOPxjZ6
— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) June 17, 2026
Responding to the allegations, a senior health department official said explanations had been sought from doctors attached to both hospitals.
According to the official, staff at VK Pudur Government Hospital claimed that the relatives left before the duty doctor could reach the casualty ward. Officials at Alangulam Government Hospital reportedly stated that the family had approached the old hospital block instead of the new one.
The official also said that CCTV footage from VK Pudur Government Hospital was unavailable, while footage from Alangulam Government Hospital had been sought for examination as part of the inquiry.
Meanwhile, Surandai police have registered a case of unnatural death and further investigations are underway.
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