New Delhi: A 35-year-old doctor working at Max Hospital Saket, a private facility, allegedly hanged himself at his residence in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area Friday.
Dr Vivek Rai, a student of DNB (Diplomate of National Board) in Family Medicine, was treating Covid patients and had been on duty in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He was providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support to patients.
Police have claimed a purported suicide note was found but mentioned no trigger. Rai is survived by his wife and parents.
In an official statement released Saturday evening, the hospital said they were “deeply pained by his untimely death and extend our sincere condolences to his family”.
“Dr Vivek Rai, a first-year DNB student of Family Medicine at Max Hospital, Saket died today, we believe, by suicide at his residence. Dr Rai had completed his work shift at 2 PM yesterday, as usual. The hospital learnt of his passing from his neighbours. We are deeply pained by his untimely death and extend our sincere condolences to his family,” the hospital said.
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‘Ending life, wishing everyone happiness’
According to police, they received a call around 11 pm Friday from a woman who said her friend’s husband had locked himself up and was not opening the door.
Police then reached the spot and, upon breaking open the door, found Rai hanging from a ceiling fan.
According to police, a purported suicide note signed by Rai was recovered from the spot, but it did not mention any reason why the doctor hanged himself.
“The note is addressed to his family members and friends. Rai wrote that he was ending his life and wished happiness for everyone. He did not mention any specific reason for taking that step. Moreover, no allegations were made against anybody by him,” a senior police officer said.
The officer added that the family does not suspect any foul play.
“Dr Rai’s wife has not mentioned anything about him being stressed, upset or disturbed. In fact she says he had been quite occupied at the hospital with an increase in Covid cases in Delhi, and Max being turned into a Covid-only hospital. Also, she did not mention Rai having any medical history for depression. We will gather more details once she is emotionally stable,” the officer said.
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