Thodupuzha, Kerala: The family of a 56-year-old man who died after collapsing on a roadside have alleged denial of medical care and police negligence, claiming he was mistaken for being intoxicated.

The deceased, PT Jayakumar, a native of Nadukkandam near Thodupuzha, reportedly suffered a stroke and fell unconscious at Chungam on the evening of February 14. According to the family, he lay on the roadside for several hours before being shifted to the district hospital with the help of the Fire and Rescue Services.

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The family allege that a police patrol noticed him lying there earlier but assumed he was under the influence of alcohol and did not intervene. It was only around 2 am, during another patrol, that he was found at the same spot and arrangements were made to move him to the Kaarikkode District Hospital by ambulance.

Meanwhile, when Jayakumar did not return home, his family began searching for him and reached the hospital around 8 am. They claim that no treatment had been initiated until then, despite him carrying identification documents. The family also alleged that the police did not attempt to contact them.

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After the relatives arrived, a scan was conducted, and doctors confirmed that he had suffered a stroke, following which he was referred to Kottayam Medical College. The family further alleged that he did not receive adequate treatment there either. Jayakumar passed away on the tenth day.

He is survived by his wife, Sushama.