Police suspect Vecuronium overdose; mystery surrounds cause of death
Gorakhpur – In a tragic and mysterious incident, a 32-year-old junior resident doctor and third-year postgraduate student from the Department of Anaesthesiology at Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College, Gorakhpur, was found dead in his hostel room on Friday morning. The doctor, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, was discovered unresponsive on his bed after he failed to report for duty.
The shocking discovery was made when staff, sent by the department head, Dr Sateesh Kumar, broke open the door after repeated attempts to contact the doctor failed. His body was found lying on the bed with a syringe and vials of Vecuronium Bromide—a potent muscle relaxant used in anaesthesia—recovered from the scene.
Possible Drug Overdose Suspected
According to initial reports, the presence of Vecuronium Bromide, a powerful neuromuscular-blocking agent used in surgeries, raised the suspicion of a possible drug overdose. The drug can cause fatal paralysis within minutes if not administered in a clinical setting with proper respiratory support. However, police have not confirmed whether the incident was a case of suicide or foul play, stating that postmortem and forensic reports will determine the exact cause of death.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the presence of a suicide note. While some sources claimed that one was found, police officials have officially denied recovering any note from the room.
Doctor Was Preparing for Final Exams
Dr Sateesh Kumar told investigators that the doctor had shown no signs of stress, depression, or erratic behaviour. He had been studying late into the night with two hostel mates, went out for dinner around 11 p.m., and was last seen active around 2 a.m. the previous night.
The deceased doctor was reportedly preparing for his final exams scheduled for September and had been in regular contact with his family over the past few days. His laptop has been seized for digital analysis, and the content of his recent emails is under forensic examination.
Personal Tragedy Deepens
The doctor had been married for a year, and his wife, also a practicing doctor in Kerala, is pregnant. His family has been informed, and they are expected to arrive in Gorakhpur soon.
College principal Dr Ram Kumar Jaiswal expressed grief over the loss and stated,
“It is too early to determine the cause of death. Only autopsy and forensic reports will provide clarity. We are fully cooperating with the police.”
Speaking to India Today, Dr Jaiswal added,
“We will investigate all possible angles — whether it pertains to departmental pressure, hostel life, or personal challenges — to determine if any external factor contributed to this tragic event.”
Ongoing Investigation
The local police have registered a case and launched a thorough investigation, including questioning fellow hostel residents and examining digital evidence. The incident has once again highlighted the mental and emotional pressure faced by medical students and residents in the country.
Source: india today
