KARACHI, May 10: Justice Mohammad Moosa K. Leghari of the Sindh High Court admitted appeals moved by three lady doctors jailed for causing death of a patient by gross negligence, suspended their sentence and ordered their release on bail against a solvent surety of Rs100,000 each and personal bond in the like amount if not required in any other case.

Doctors Qamar Imam, Nargis Shamsi and Sughra Karim were working in Anjuman-i-Punjabi Sudagran’s Delhi Colony Hospital when Waseela Bibi, a resident of Frere Town was brought there for treatment of her stomach trouble. She was diagnosed with tumour and advised surgery for its removal.

According to a criminal case lodged by Waseela’s husband with the Frere police station, she underwent normally but died soon afterward due to criminal negligence of the doctors treating her. He said his wife suffered from no ailment besides the tumour. The case was tried by Additional District and Sessions Judge Munawar Sultana, who convicted the three doctors and sentenced them to serve five years in jail. They were also asked to pay Rs 200,000 each to the complainant husband.

Appearing for the appellants in the high court, Advocates Abdul Waheed Katpar, Syed Mohsin Raza and Aamir Raza Naqvi submitted that the deceased patient suffered from cancer and died of the illness despite surgical operation performed on her. They said no negligence, least of all criminal negligence, was involved and the appellants discharged their professional duty in accordance with the law, rules and ethics.

Justice Mohammad Moosa K. Leghari, who heard the preliminary arguments, ordered that the appeals be admitted to regular hearing and the prosecution be issued notices for a date in office. Meanwhile, the impugned sentences would remain suspended and the appellants would be released on bail in the sum of Rs 100,000 each and personal bonds if not wanted in any other case.