A middle-aged man was admitted to a government hospital for treatment of a kidney condition. During his stay, the doctors advised insertion of a perma catheter — a long-term dialysis access — through the right internal jugular vein.
However, the procedure was carried out on the left side of the neck. The patient alleged that no consent was taken for the left-sided procedure, and this switch led to complications that later required surgical correction. He approached the District Consumer Forum, which awarded compensation — but the hospital challenged this order.
The case eventually landed before the Karnataka High Court.