Mumbai / Solapur, April 24 (PTI) – A doctor in Karmala, Solapur district, has been booked for culpable homicide following allegations of botched surgery that led to the death of a 28-year-old pregnant woman, according to the police.
The incident, which occurred in September last year, was officially registered only recently on the directive of a court, after police initially refused to lodge an FIR, the official confirmed on Thursday.
The deceased, Sheetal Bhausaheb Kargal, a resident of Raigaon in Karmala taluka, had been under the care of the same doctor throughout her pregnancy. On the day of the delivery, she was admitted to a local hospital and was told that the delivery would take place in a few hours, with no complications in sight.
Alleged Surgical Negligence
According to the complaint filed by her husband, Bhausaheb Kargal, despite his wife experiencing acute pain, the doctor continued to assure the family that everything was under control. Eventually, the doctor opted for a caesarean section, after which Sheetal began bleeding profusely.
The complaint further alleges that after the initial procedure, the doctor reopened the surgical stitches and operated again, worsening her condition. The family was reportedly not informed during the ordeal and only realized the severity when they saw her being taken out of the operation theatre covered in blood.
The doctor later advised the family to shift Sheetal to another hospital, but she succumbed to the excessive bleeding.
Legal Action Following Court Intervention
Frustrated by the lack of police action, the grieving husband approached the court. Based on the court’s direction, a case under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code has been filed. No arrests have been made so far.
Police have stated that a further investigation is underway to determine the sequence of events and verify the allegations of medical negligence.
