The lead Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) investigator in the case involving the death of Gulf Air pilot Mohannad Yousef Hassan Al Hindi, on December 14, 2022, at United Hospital Dhaka, has reportedly faced threats and harassment.
Yousef's sister, Tala Josephano, claimed that the investigator from PBI shared with her through messages that he was threatened and harassed, said a press release.
“The investigator could not write the truth in the report, which is that captain Mohannad Al Hindi was killed by negligence as his family threatened him, and he claimed he was transferred from his job due to his trying to do his job,” she said.
"The investigator told me that I would never get justice for my brother as United and Gulf has spent a lot of money and exerted influence. However, we believe these allegations were to cover up for the cooperation between the investigator, United Hospital, and Gulf Air to bury the case. We believe that the judicial system is fair, and we have faith in the judge's decisions," said Tala Josephano.
Evidence of the investigator informing Tala about threats and corruption exists in audio and text messages between them.
"We will object to the report as it is clear that United and Gulf Air are working together on trying to bury the case. Well, they can not, and we will not stop till the negligent doctors are in jail and justice is served," said Tala Josephano.
On December 14, 2022, Gulf Air Pilot Captain Mohannad Yousef Al Hindi suffered a sudden heart attack at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and became unconscious while in his uniform. He was transferred to United Hospital, where misdiagnosis and treatment delays led to his death eight hours later.
His sister filed a criminal case, prompting the court to order investigation reports from the PBI and BMDC.
The PBI reported on November 16, 2023, highlighting negligence in treatment at the hospital and false statements by United Hospital and Gulf Air. The investigation found that captain Al Hindi arrived at United Hospital's emergency room at 4:30am, but Gulf Air's co-pilot Khalil, Country Manager Issa Shaah, and United Hospital falsely reported his arrival time as 5:30am.
The report criticized Gulf Air for not providing the co-pilot Khalil and Issa Shaah's refusal to share captain Al Hindi's medical history, which hindered a fair investigation.
Although initially accused, Dr Omar Farouk was cleared of negligence as junior doctors were found using his sign-in without his presence, for which the Captain’s family would file a fraud case.
The report condemned junior consultant Tunaggina for not consulting a senior cardiologist or to perform the PCI.
Captain Al Hindi's family plans to pursue criminal charges for culpable homicide and conspiracy against Dr Tunaggina and Dr Salah, accusing them of leaving Captain Al Hindi untreated until 9am.
The family hopes the BMDC report will clarify these issues, as stated by Tala Josephano, Captain Al Hindi's sister.