Letter bearing German postal seal accuses doctor of negligence, warns of harm to family
Kochi: In a deeply disturbing incident, renowned oncologist Dr V P Gangadharan has received a death threat from an unidentified group demanding Rs 8.25 lakh as “blood money”, allegedly holding him responsible for the death of a young female patient.
According to police sources, the threatening letter was delivered by post on May 17 to Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi, where Dr Gangadharan practices. The envelope bore a German postal seal, and the anonymous senders claimed to represent a group called ‘Citizens For Justice’, allegedly based in Mumbai.
Threatening Letter Demands Bitcoin Payment
The letter warned that if the doctor did not pay the demanded sum, his family’s lives would be in danger. It provided a Bitcoin payment link and QR code for transferring the amount. The message also accused Dr Gangadharan of medical negligence leading to the death of a girl and the subsequent suicide of her mother, citing the father as the complainant.
“I was shaken when I read it,” said Dr Gangadharan, speaking to IANS. “It falsely claimed I was responsible for a death and demanded money. I couldn’t trace any such case in my records.” Despite initially contemplating ignoring the threat, he later filed a police complaint on May 19, fearing that the threat could be part of a larger racket targeting medical professionals.
Investigation Underway
The Maradu Police have registered a case and are actively investigating with assistance from the cyber cell and the postal department. Authorities are working to trace the origin of the letter and the Bitcoin wallet.
A senior police official confirmed, “The letter demanded money in Bitcoin and carried threats of violence against the doctor and his family. We’re taking it very seriously.”
Cyber Wing to Step In
S. Sreejith, Additional Director General of Police and head of Kerala’s Cyber Wing, told IANS that he was unaware of the case initially but would now ensure a thorough probe. “Now that this has come to my notice, we will examine the matter seriously,” he said.
Community in Shock
Dr Gangadharan, a highly respected figure in Indian oncology and known for his compassionate approach, is currently associated with multiple hospitals in Kochi. The incident has sparked concern in the medical community, raising alarms over the safety of doctors amid rising instances of harassment, extortion, and targeted attacks.
