‘My mother lost her life unnecessarily’

NEWDELHI: A regular walker and resident of JJ Cluster in Wazirpur, 62-year-old Savitri Devi, set out as usual for her evening walk on September 7.

A few feet from her house, she was attacked by a stray cow. Her family members found her bleeding profusely and rushed her to the hospital. The cow had hit her in the abdomen with its horns leaving her with serious injuries. She died after a week.

“The cattle horns had ruptured her abdomen. We immediately took her to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital in the neighbourhood. At the hospital, she was given some treatment and a Medico Legal Certificate (MLC) was filed. The doctors there suggested that we take her to Hindu Rao Hospital for better treatment,” said Saroj Devi, the victim’s daughter-in-law.

The family claims, the area is full of stray cattle and many people have been attacked in the past. “People keep their cattle on roadsides as there is not enough room inside. We don’t understand why the civic agencies don’t take any action,” said Rajesh Kumar, Savitri Devi’s son.

Dr DK Seth, director hospital administration, said that the victim was brought to Hindu Rao Hospital with severe abdomen injuries and hip bone fracture. “She was referred to the orthopedic department where she was given appropriate treatment. However, she died of pneumonia, intertrochanteric fracture and septicaemia,” he said.

The family blames the hospital for not giving Savitri appropriate treatment. “My mother was overlooked and not given required treatment. She lost her life due to negligence,” said Kumar.

A police official said that no FIR had been filed in the case as the family didn’t register a complaint.