Kerala: Shock And Outrage As Doctor Stabbed To Death By Accused Who Was Brought To The Hospital By Police

A woman doctor, Vandana Das, died this morning after she was stabbed multiple times at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital in Kollam district by Sandeep, a school teacher who was detained by the police after getting into a brawl with his neighbours.

He was brought to the hospital as he was injured in the brawl. He is also said to be undergoing de-addiction treatment.

Sandeep reportedly stabbed Das with surgical scissors multiple times in the neck, spine and abdomen, resulting in severe internal injuries.

He is also said to have attacked other hospital staff and the police personnel who had brought him. They sustained minor injuries.

Das was a final-year MBBS student at Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kollam and a house surgeon at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital.

Dr TN Suresh, the state president of the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) has called for a statewide protest to ensure the protection of healthcare personnel.

In a special sitting, a bench of the Kerala High Court comprising judges Devan Ramachandran and Kausar Edappagat asked, “Why don't the government shut down the hospitals, if it can't guarantee the safety of doctors?"

It asked the Director General of Police to appear before it tomorrow (11 May) and said that only quick and exemplary punishment would act as a deterrent.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Health Minister Veena George have expressed their condolences.

Reacting to the incident, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president, K Surendran said, "What happened in Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital is nothing but police negligence. A female duty doctor named Vandana Das was stabbed to death by a drug addict in police custody during the medical examination. The state is under the clutches of the drug mafia."