Booked for murder, Rajasthan doctor dies by suicide, leaves note: ‘Stop harassing doctors’
RAJSTHAN, MARCH 31 : “My death may prove my innocence. DON’T HARASS INNOCENT DOCTORS. Please,” Dr Archana Sharma, who died by suicide in Rajasthan’s Dausa district earlier this week, had said in a suicide note.
Dr Archana Sharma was a medical practitioner working with a private hospital in Rajasthan’s Dausa. An FIR was filed against her under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the death of a pregnant woman at her hospital.
Following the incident, she died by suicide on Tuesday.
In her suicide note, Archana Sharma appealed to people to not harass her husband and children after her death. She also requested them not to “harass innocent doctors”.
Here’s what she said in the suicide note:
“I love my husband and children a lot. Please do not harass them after my death. I did not commit any mistake, did not kill anyone. PPH is a known complication. Stop harassing doctors so much for this. My death may prove my innocence. DON’T HARASS INNOCENT DOCTORS. Please. Love you. Don’t let my kids feel the absence of their mother.”
Dr Archana Sharma was booked under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after one of her patients, a pregnant woman, died as a result of complications.
Following the patient’s death, family members of the pregnant woman accused the private hospital of negligence.
The Lalsot police, allegedly under political pressure, registered an FIR against Dr Archana Sharma under 302 of the IPC. This reportedly forced Dr Sharma to take the extreme step.
On Wednesday, officer in-charge of the Lalsot police station in Dausa, Ankit Chaudhary, was placed under suspension in connection with the Dr Archana Sharma suicide case.
The Rajasthan government also ordered the removal of the Dausa Superintendent of Police (SP) over the department’s handling of the case.
Meanwhile, a high-level meeting was convened at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s residence on Wednesday. During the meet, it was decided that strict action should be taken against those who abetted the woman to commit suicide by registering a case, a release said.
Ashok Gehlot also directed to constitute a committee led by additional chief secretary (home) to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to give necessary suggestions.
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Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said police are conducting a free and fair investigation into the alleged suicide of the doctor in Dausa.
Ashok Gehlot said he convened a meeting on the matter and directed officials “to take necessary steps to stop these types of incidents”.
“I’ve directed DG [director general of police] also. Police are doing a free and fair investigation. I also convened a meeting with officials and directed them to take necessary steps to stop these types of incidents,” Ashok Gehlot was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.
On Wednesday, Ashok Gehlot took to Twitter to condole the death of Dr Archana Sharma and said, “Suicide committed by Dr Archana Sharma in Dausa is extremely saddening. We all give the status of God to doctors. Every doctor tries to make a complete effort to save the life of the patient, but to blame the doctor for any unfortunate occurrence is not fair.
“If doctors are threatened in this manner, how will they be able to work at peace? We should all think how such treatment can be meted out to doctors who rendered their services by putting their lives at risk during Corona pandemic or other diseases. This entire matter is being seriously investigated and the accused will not be spared,” Ashok Gehlot said.
-The India Today
