Shimla, Aug 31 (PTI) The death of Rajni Sharma during childbirth at the Regional Hospital in Kullu was raised in the Himachal Vidhan Sabha on Monday, with the Leader of the Opposition seeking details from the government regarding the probe and the action taken. Rajni Sharma (alias Manju), 23, was admitted to the hospital on June 19, gave birth to a child a day later and died on June 21. Her death sparked protests, and family members and residents alleged negligence by doctors and other staff.
Replying to the issue, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured the House that neither the guilty would be spared, nor the innocent implicated. He said the investigation so far has identified excessive postpartum haemorrhage (excessive bleeding) following childbirth as the cause of the woman’s death.
The health department formed a committee to probe the case based on the family’s complaint. An initial enquiry was conducted under the chairmanship of the Medical Superintendent of Kullu. Currently, an independent board of medical experts headed by the Additional Director of Health Services is conducting an investigation, and the report is awaited, he said. The Chief Minister announced in the House that once the investigation report is received, action will be taken without any pressure or bias. No one will be shielded, including a doctor, a staff member or any other individual, he said. He appealed to the opposition not to turn a sensitive issue into a matter of political gain or loss.
Sukhu said it would be inappropriate to reduce such an incident to accusations, counter-accusations, or political debate. The chief minister noted that between 2,000 and 2,500 people gathered outside Kullu Hospital on June 29 following a social media appeal after the death. He acknowledged the democratic right to protest but said demonstrations inside the hospital, which could affect patient treatment and safety, are unacceptable.
He said an FIR has been registered in this case and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently investigating.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s response, Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur said the answer provided was unclear. He asked whether the enquiry had revealed any medical or administrative negligence and, if so, what action had been taken against the individuals involved.
Earlier, while responding to Thakur’s query, Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said the government extends its deepest sympathies to the deceased’s family.
He explained that two separate enquiries were being conducted — one independently and the other at the hospital level — to ensure a thorough investigation. He said Dr Vivek, Anu, and a staff nurse had been suspended based on the preliminary enquiry report, while the second enquiry is currently underway. PTI BPL ASD ASD
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