Discrepancies in Postmortem Reports Raise Suspicions of Cover-Up; Resident Doctors Demand Justice
Udaipur: The tragic death of Dr Ravi Sharma, a 35-year-old doctor allegedly electrocuted at the postgraduate hostel of Ravindranath Tagore (RNT) Medical College, has ignited a wave of protests across Rajasthan’s medical fraternity. With contradictory postmortem reports and allegations of a cover-up, resident doctors have intensified their agitation, now declaring a statewide strike and hunger protest.
The incident, which occurred on June 18, has been mired in controversy after two separate postmortem reports—one by RNT Medical College and another by SMS Medical College, Jaipur—presented conflicting findings. While RNT’s report cited superficial injuries and hinted at electric shock, the SMS report confirmed electrocution as the cause of death, identifying three distinct electric injuries.
Allegations of Negligence and Evidence Tampering
Dr Ravi Sharma, who had recently moved to Udaipur and was scheduled to join Maharana Bhupal Government Hospital, died allegedly after touching a faulty water cooler. Despite immediate CPR and hospitalisation, he could not be revived.
The first postmortem, conducted by RNT doctors, failed to conclusively state electrocution as the cause. In contrast, the SMS team, including forensic and plastic surgery specialists, not only confirmed electrocution but also criticised the RNT team for not collecting proper skin samples from the area of suspected electric injury.
This glaring discrepancy has fueled accusations that RNT authorities may be shielding responsible parties, prompting outrage from resident doctors, who accuse the administration of negligence, mishandling of evidence, and tampering.
Resident Doctors Escalate Protest
The Udaipur Resident Doctors Association (URDA), led by Dr Tejpal, has announced a hunger strike and total shutdown of non-emergency medical services. The movement has rapidly gained momentum, with doctors from:
- Jaipur’s SMS Medical College (JARD)
- SN Medical College, Jodhpur
- SP Medical College, Bikaner
- Government Medical College, Kota
joining in solidarity through pen-down strikes and complete service suspension, including OPD, IPD, and even emergency care.
Over 600 doctors associated with RNT-affiliated hospitals have been on strike for four consecutive days. Starting Wednesday, all medical services across major government hospitals in Rajasthan are expected to come to a halt until justice is delivered.
Demands and Legal Action
The protesting doctors are demanding:
- Immediate suspension of RNT college officials
- A judicial inquiry into the postmortem discrepancies
- Financial compensation to Dr Sharma’s family
- Accountability for administrative negligence
The Rajasthan Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the case and sought an explanation from both RNT and SMS Medical College principals.
Family Alleges Systemic Failure
Dr Prashant Sharma, cousin of the deceased, claimed that Ravi’s death was avoidable and caused by a faulty electrical appliance in the hostel. He accused RNT officials of manipulating the first postmortem to conceal infrastructure negligence. “If an educated doctor can die like this without justice, what must be happening to ordinary people?” he said in anguish.
Wider Implications
This incident has not only sparked grief but also exposed deep flaws in hospital safety, medical accountability, and internal oversight. As the doctors’ protest grows statewide, the Government is under increasing pressure to act swiftly and transparently, failing which Rajasthan’s already burdened public healthcare system may face a major crisis.
The medical community waits for justice, even as public health services across the state teeter on the brink of collapse.
