Rajkot: A 53-year-old nurse working at the Gujarat Cancer Research Institute’s (GCRI) Rajkot unit was brutally murdered late Monday night by a neighbour following a heated argument. The incident has raised serious safety concerns for female healthcare workers posted in regional branches.
Accused Attacked Victim at Midnight
The victim, Chawla Patel, was reportedly attacked with a sharp weapon by 34-year-old Kanji Vanja, a neighbour living in the same residential locality near the Ayurvedic Hospital on University Road. The incident occurred shortly after midnight, and Patel died on the spot. The accused fled but was arrested by University Police within hours.
Inspector Haresh Patel of University Police Station confirmed Vanja’s arrest and said he is being interrogated to uncover the motive behind the murder.
Victim Was Recently Transferred to Rajkot
Patel, a senior nurse with more than 20 years of service, had been transferred to the Saurashtra Cancer Care and Research Institute (SCRI)—GCRI’s Rajkot branch—just four months ago. Following her transfer, she had rented accommodation near the hospital.
A complaint was filed by her elder brother, Shivang Patel (57), naming Vanja as the attacker. Forensic teams have conducted a postmortem, and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been roped in to support the ongoing investigation.
Security Concerns Raised by Nursing Staff
The incident has triggered outrage and grief among the nursing fraternity, particularly at GCRI’s Ahmedabad headquarters. Staff have demanded better and safer accommodation for female healthcare workers posted at regional branches.
In a memorandum submitted to GCRI Director Dr. Shashank Pandya, nurses alleged that the absence of hostel facilities in Rajkot leaves female staff vulnerable and forces them to seek rented accommodation, which compromises their privacy and safety.
Director Confirms Plans for Staff Quarters
Calling the murder “deeply painful,” Dr. Pandya expressed grief on behalf of the GCRI community. He also confirmed that the state government has approved the construction of staff quarters on the Rajkot campus in the current budget, a proposal long requested by the institute.
Controversy Over Transfer Practices
Some nurses have also raised concerns that transfers to branches in Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Siddhpur are often punitive in nature. However, Dr. Pandya denied these claims, stating that allegations of “punishment transfers” are baseless and misleading.
