Of political 'interference' and doc harassment

Gynaecologist Archna Sharma's suicide has rocked Rajasthan. She died by suicide after she was subjected to harassment by a patient's family. After the patient's death due to pregnancy complications, the police booked the doctor under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.

Disturbed over the allegations and scared over protest which could mar her reputation and disturb her family, she died by suicide. "I love my husband and my children dearly. Please do not trouble them after my death. I did not do anything wrong and I did not kill anyone. Postpartum Haemorrhage is a known complication, so stop harassing doctors. Don't harass innocent doctors! Perhaps my death will prove my innocence," were her last words.

What had happened

Twenty-two-year-old Asha Bairwa died after delivery in Anand

Hospital, owned by Dr Archna and husband, Dr Suneet Upadhyaya. The doctors "apparently" tried their best to save her by administering two units of blood but it was not successful. The woman's kin had asked for an ambulance to take her body back.

Dr Upadhyaya then goes on to say what happened next... "The family was preparing for the last rites in the village, when I was told that BJP leader Balya Joshi went to their home and told them about good compensation. The family placed the body outside the hospital and gathered at least some 200 people, and called up some more BJP leaders.

"A couple of years ago, a baby was admitted to our hospital and died in Jaipur, two days later. While the family didn't say anything, Joshi turned up at the hospital and created a ruckus," Dr upadhyay added.

Meanwhile, BJP is questioning role of the police and said that they (the cops) have registered a case under Section 302 IPC against a doctor. "If any of our leaders are found guilty of blackmailing or harassing the doctor they should be punished but the government should also take action and police officers who registered a case of murder on a doctor and violated the directions of Supreme Court," said MLA Ramlal Sharma.

The government had removed SP Anil Kumar and suspended the SHO of the concerned police station. The police have arrested four persons in the case, including BJP leader Jitendra Gothwal but main accused Shiv Shankar Balya Joshi is still absconding.