Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; May 7, 2014)

Actor Rakesh Diwana, who played the role of a domestic help in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, passed away recently after he opted for a bariatric surgery in Indore.

Rakesh’s daughter, Richa, says, “We had done all the required tests before going in for an operation. My father was not under any other treatment and when all his reports turned out fine, he was admitted in Mohak Hitech Hospital in Indore. He had even done a background search on the hospital before going ahead with the operation.”

However, post the bariatric surgery, the actor was admitted in the ICU and he barely responded to the treatment. “Dr Mohit Bhandari, who operated on him, kept telling me that my father would recover soon. But his condition deteriorated and they informed us about his death. I don’t know what to do as my father was the pillar of our family. All my siblings are studying and we lost our mother five years ago. I will now have to run this household all by myself,” says the 22-year-old.

The family is now accusing the hospital of foul play and is planning to take action against the doctor and the hospital. “Once we are done with all our rituals, I will consult another doctor and file a case. I am awaiting the postmortem report. The Cine and Television Artistes Association (CNTAA) has already promised me support. The strangest thing in this incident is the fact that while we paid Rs1.60 lakh for the operation, the hospital did not charge us extra money for the ICU, the ambulance or any other medication. In fact, they were giving us a five-star treatment. This has only added to my suspicion,” says Richa.