Himachal CM vows accountability in Kullu childbirth death

Rajni Sharma died on June 21, one day after undergoing surgery to deliver a baby girl. Her husband, Satish Sharma, later filed a formal complaint alleging systemic failures, including delayed surgical intervention, improper monitoring of hypertension, and critical shortages of medical supplies. The state government has since moved beyond an internal hospital inquiry, requesting an independent medical expert board to determine if negligence played a role in the postpartum death.

Addressing the Legislative Assembly on Monday, Sukhu emphasized that the government remains impartial, refusing to shield medical staff while simultaneously cautioning against premature conclusions. He cited the Supreme Court’s precedent in the Jacob Mathew case, which mandates expert medical opinion to establish criminal negligence. This approach aims to protect clinicians from unsubstantiated claims while ensuring the bereaved family receives a definitive answer regarding the cause of death.

Parallel to the medical inquiry, authorities are managing the fallout from a June 29 protest where thousands entered the hospital premises. An FIR was registered against several individuals for disrupting critical care, though the Chief Minister confirmed that an SIT investigation led to the removal of one specific charge. Sukhu urged political leaders to avoid politicizing the tragedy, maintaining that justice requires evidence-based findings rather than public accusations. The final determination of liability hinges entirely on the findings of the pending expert medical board report.