New Delhi: Terming the alleged suicide of a doctor in Dausa district as ‘deeply saddening’, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday ordered the removal of a senior police officer and suspension of an SHO.
According to an official release after a high-level meeting at his residence, CM Gehlot has directed the officials to remove Dausa Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar, suspended SHO of Lalsot Police Station Ankesh Kumar and put the deputy Superintendent of Police Lalsot Shankar Lal under awaiting posting orders.
Divisional Commissioner Jaipur Dinesh Kumar Yadav has been asked to conduct an administrative inquiry into the matter.
The release further said that strict action would be taken against those who abetted the woman to commit suicide by registering a case.
Condemning the incident and assuring of an inquiry into the matter, Gehlot earlier took to Twitter and wrote, “The incident of Dr. Archana Sharma's suicide in Dausa is very sad. We all give the status of god to doctors. Every doctor tries his best to save the life of the patient, but it is not justified to accuse the doctor as soon as any unfortunate incident happens.”
"If doctors will be intimidated like this, then how will they be able to do their work with confidence? We all should think about how such treatment can be done to the doctors who served all by risking their lives during covid pandemic, he added.
The chief minister also directed to constitute a panel led by additional chief secretary (home) and comprising secretaries of medical and health department, medical education department, senior officers from police and law departments and doctors, to prevent any recurrence of such incidents and to necessary suggestions.
The committee will also study all the legal aspects and prepare a guideline which will be implemented across the state.
It is to be noted that the Rajasthan State Commission for Women has also taken cognizance of the matter and sought a factual report from police within seven days.
Notably, Dr Archana Sharma allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday due to harassment after the police filed an FIR against her under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code at Lalsot Police Station in Dausa in connection with the death of a pregnant woman at her hospital.
It started when a pregnant woman on Tuesday died at the hospital run by Dr Archana Sharma and her husband, said the police. After the incident, family members of the pregnant woman held a demonstration outside the hospital and demanded immediate action against the erring doctor.
According to Sharma, the death was caused due to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a medical condition under which severe bleeding happens after childbirth.
Later, an FIR was registered against the doctor at the Lalsot Police Station. Stressed over the FIR and incident, Archana hanged herself to death, said police.