MLA’s kin dies of negligence

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, May 1: The district administration ordered Magisterial inquiry into the death of 12th class student, a relative of  MLA Darhal during minor surgery of nose in District Hospital Rajouri due to alleged negligence of doctor this morning while the incident evoked a protest from the public and the relatives of the deceased.
The deceased has been identified as 18-year-old Shariq Shahdad, son of Mohd Shabir, resident of  Tarala Pajnara in Kandi. He died on the operation table at around 11 am today. Dr Vijay Gupta was operating upon the young boy.
The boy is relative of DC Reasi, Shahid Iqbal and MLA Darhal Ch Zulfiqar Ali. No family member was with the boy when the surgery was being performed  and only a cousin had been accompanying. It is said that no tests were performed by the concerned doctor before going for surgery.
The incident evoked protest as the relatives, family friends and villagers rushed to hospital. The Dy Commissioner  F C Bhagat and SP Rajouri Mubassar Latiffi also reached there sensing trouble and possible public reaction. They pacified the agitating family members, relatives and villagers and assured a fair probe into the matter.  The PDP MLA, Ch Zulfiqar also reached there after some time.
The MLA stressed for Magisterial inquiry into the matter and sought strict action against the doctors. He said several negligent deaths have taken place in this hospital earlier also and it should not be repeated again.
The DC then ordered Magisterial inquiry and asked Assistant Commissioner ( R)  Sachin Dev Singh to hold inquiry and submit report within 7 days.  DySP Headquarters, Rajouri  Sanjay Sharma will assist the Magistrate.
Later, a Medical Board conducted postmortem on the body of youth. While doctor operating upon the boy claimed that he died of cardiac arrest, the relatives alleged that he died of over dose of anaesthesia. After postmortem, the body was handed over to the family for last rites.
Meanwhile, Director Health Services Jammu Dr Madhu Khullar said that on the directions of Minister Incharge Health Shabir Khan a departmental inquiry has also been ordered. She said Deputy Director Health Jammu Dr Ved Sharma will head the inquiry committee. Three other senior doctors  namely Dr Rakesh, Dr K K Gupta and  Dr  Arun are other members. She said the action will be taken against the doctor/ doctors only after inquiry is over.