Archive · 3 Sep 2026
AIIMS Panel Probes Conflicting Accounts Over Teenager’s Death
AIIMS Delhi is investigating the death of a 15-year-old girl named Tanvi.
She had a serious heart problem from birth that made it difficult for blood to reach her lungs.
AIIMS says doctors performed many tests and decided in 2017 that corrective surgery was not possible.
The hospital says Tanvi was advised to continue medical treatment and regular checkups.
Tanvi’s father says the family was told surgery would happen but that the operation was postponed several times.
Tanvi returned to AIIMS in August 2026 when her health became worse.
Doctors also checked whether a heart-lung transplant might help her.
On September 1, her oxygen level fell sharply, her heart stopped, and she died despite resuscitation efforts.
A committee and an autopsy will examine what happened.
AIIMS New Delhi formed a committee to review the treatment and death of 15-year-old Tanvi.
Tanvi was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary atresia during her first AIIMS evaluation on October 10, 2012.
AIIMS said testing led doctors to conclude in 2017 that corrective surgery was not feasible, while Tanvi’s father alleged repeated surgical delays.
Tanvi was admitted on August 24, 2026, after her condition worsened and was evaluated for a possible heart-lung transplant.
She developed severe cyanosis and cardiac arrest on September 1, 2026, and was declared dead at 5:06 a.m.; an autopsy and inquiry are underway.
- Who
- AIIMS New Delhi, its inquiry committee, 15-year-old Tanvi, and her father Mukesh Pariyani.
- What
- A committee is reviewing Tanvi’s clinical treatment, the sequence of events, and the circumstances surrounding her death.
- When
- Tanvi died at 5:06 a.m. on September 1, 2026; AIIMS ordered the inquiry on September 2, 2026.
- Where
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; Tanvi was a resident of Kota, Rajasthan.
- Why
- The inquiry followed media concerns and allegations from Tanvi’s father that repeated delays prevented possible heart surgery.
Family’s Account
AIIMS’s Account
Whether surgery was possible
Family’s Account
Tanvi’s father alleged that doctors had said surgery would be performed and that his daughter could have received surgical treatment years earlier.
AIIMS’s Account
AIIMS said detailed evaluations in 2013 led the treating team to conclude in 2017 that corrective surgery was not feasible because of her complex cardiac anatomy.
Reason for the prolonged wait
Family’s Account
Pariyani alleged that money and blood were deposited in April 2014, but the operation was repeatedly postponed despite hospital visits and complaints.
AIIMS’s Account
AIIMS said surgery did not remain a viable option throughout that period and that later senior specialists also advised medical management.
Accountability for the death
Family’s Account
The family sought a detailed inquiry and strict action against those responsible.
AIIMS’s Account
AIIMS said its committee would review records, investigations, treatment, expert opinions, and the circumstances of death before any final conclusions or action.
- Patient
- Tanvi, 15
- Initial diagnosis
- Ventricular septal defect with pulmonary atresia
- First AIIMS evaluation
- October 10, 2012
- Diagnostic testing
- CT angiography, conventional angiography, and cardiac catheterisation were conducted in 2013.
- AIIMS surgery assessment
- The treating team concluded in 2017 that corrective surgery was not feasible because of the complexity of Tanvi’s cardiac anatomy.
- Family’s allegation
- Mukesh Pariyani alleged that surgery was promised, money and blood were deposited in April 2014, and the operation date was postponed several times.
- Final admission and death
- Tanvi was admitted on August 24, 2026, and died on September 1 after severe cyanosis, a hypoxic spell, and cardiac arrest.
