Ludhiana, July 15 -- The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging that a private hospital in Ludhiana withheld the body of a 22-year-old road accident victim for nearly eight hours after his family failed to pay a medical bill of more than Rs.2.31 lakh.

The Commission has directed the civil surgeon, Ludhiana, to submit a factual report on the matter at least one week before the next hearing, scheduled for August 5.

A copy of the order has also been forwarded to the director, department of health and family welfare, Punjab, for information and necessary action.

The Commission, comprising chairperson justice Sant Prakash and members justice Gurbir Singh and Jitender Singh Shunty, took ...