A 49-year-old man from Ernakulam is now battling for his life and justice after a hair transplant went horribly wrong at a private clinic in Kochi. The man, C Sanil, developed a rare and life-threatening bacterial infection following the procedure—an ordeal that has left him physically and emotionally devastated.
A Cosmetic Procedure Turns Tragic
C Sanil, a resident of Elamakkara, had hoped to restore his receding hairline when he walked into the Insight Derma Clinic in Kochi in early 2025. The clinic’s online advertisements promised professional results. But what followed was a painful journey through infection, emergency surgeries, and unending trauma.
“It all started in September 2024,” Sanil recalled. At that time, he had only just contacted the clinic about undergoing a hair transplant. Though the surgery was initially scheduled for that month, it was delayed several times.
Eventually, the procedure was carried out over two days in late February 2025.
Warning Signs Ignored
During his visit to the clinic, Sanil noticed what he now describes as a serious red flag—a staff member with visible skin issues. “He later told me he had chronic eczema,” Sanil said. “I should have walked away then, but I didn’t.”
The transplant procedure was completed on February 27, and Sanil was advised to rest for a week. But by March 1, he began to feel intense pain in his scalp. His attempts to reach the clinic’s managing director and assistant surgeon, Dr Sharat Kumar Patini, went unanswered.
By March 3, yellow lesions began appearing on his scalp, and pus started oozing from the infected areas. Panicking, Sanil contacted the clinic again. Instead of directing him to a hospital, the staff dismissed his symptoms as normal post-surgical effects and asked him to return to the clinic.
“I went there for three days straight. They kept giving me steroids and painkillers, but my condition only got worse,” Sanil said. His blood pressure and blood sugar soon reached dangerous levels.
Emergency Hospitalization Reveals Grim Diagnosis
On March 10, Sanil was admitted to Lourdes Hospital in Kochi. There, endocrinologist Dr Navaya Marie Kurian referred him to plastic surgeon Dr Chakor Cilyak.
“What Dr Cilyak told me was worse than my worst fears,” Sanil said.
He was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but fast-spreading bacterial infection more commonly known as “flesh-eating disease.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies this condition as a medical emergency requiring immediate hospitalization, antibiotics, and surgery.
Thirteen Surgeries and Ongoing Pain
To date, Sanil has undergone 13 surgeries. The infection had eaten through the skin and underlying tissues, even exposing parts of his skull. “I had a hole in my head,” he said quietly.
He continues to face complications. Skin grafts, reconstruction surgeries, and constant medical monitoring are now part of his daily life. He still carries a negative-pressure drainage pump to prevent the infection from spreading further.
Despite the suffering, Sanil remains determined.
“I want justice. What happened to me should not happen to anyone else,” he said.
Clinic Silent, Legal Action Underway
Repeated attempts by South First to reach Insight Derma Clinic went unanswered. Calls to the clinic were not returned, and an email sent to the official address is still awaiting a response.
Meanwhile, Sanil had filed a police complaint months earlier. But it was only on May 20 that an official First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Ernakulam Town South police station.
“We have registered a case,” said Police Inspector Faizal MS Ishaw. “The suspects appear to be absconding. We have tried to contact them with no response. Though the case involves alleged negligence, we will need to verify the medical records to determine whether it qualifies as medical negligence.”
Three Suspects Identified
Police have named three individuals as suspects in the case: Dr Sarath Kumar, clinic assistant Gokul, and an unidentified female staff member. The FIR was filed under Sections 125, 125(a), and 125(b) of the Indian Penal Code, which relate to acts that endanger human life or personal safety.
The investigation is ongoing.
A Cautionary Tale
Sanil’s story is a powerful reminder of the risks involved in undergoing cosmetic procedures without due diligence. His experience highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations, better clinical oversight, and more awareness among consumers seeking aesthetic treatments.
As he continues to recover from both physical and emotional trauma, Sanil hopes that speaking out will prevent others from facing similar tragedies.
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