BHADOHI, UTTAR PRADESH – A district hospital in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, has been central to a case of alleged medical negligence, resulting in four doctors and a nurse being found guilty of serious dereliction of duty. The incident involved a 20-year-old pregnant woman, Rani Vanvasi, who was allegedly denied admission to the Maharaja Chet Singh Government District Hospital, leading to her giving birth on the roadside with the assistance of her companions.
According to reports, the woman’s family alleged that medical staff refused to attend to her, citing her belonging to the Musahar tribal community. This alleged refusal of care occurred on Monday, September 29, 2026. While the family claimed the woman was anemic and that arrangements for blood transfusion were not made despite their willingness to donate, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Santosh Kumar Chak stated that the inquiry found negligence in the handling of the patient, rather than explicitly confirming caste-based discrimination. A three-member inquiry team submitted its report on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The inquiry recommended disciplinary action against several medical professionals. Hospital Chief Medical Superintendent Dr. Ajay Kumar Tiwari and gynaecologist Dr. Neelima Dhawan, who was on duty on Monday, face recommended action. The salary of gynaecologist Dr. Mukesh Prajapati has been withheld for a month. Contractual emergency duty doctor Dr. Pankaj Kumar, who was on duty Tuesday night, has been removed from service, with officials citing his failure to examine and provide initial treatment to the woman. Staff nurse Neelam Maurya has been transferred.
Further findings from the inquiry indicated administrative lapses, with the hospital’s labor room found locked. The Chief Medical Superintendent and others reportedly managed the situation over the telephone instead of attending the hospital in person. The Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, had taken cognizance of the incident and directed the Bhadohi Chief Medical Officer to investigate, emphasizing that negligence in patient care would not be tolerated.
The incident has also drawn political reactions. The Congress party criticized the ruling BJP government, alleging that the woman was denied treatment due to her caste. The party’s social media posts claimed the woman was told, “Musahar ho… won’t do the delivery,” and that the incident reflected inhumane treatment of Dalits and tribals. However, the health department has officially stated that the actions taken were based on findings of negligence during the investigation, not on confirmed caste discrimination.
In response to the inquiry’s findings, Dr. Pankaj Kumar’s services as an emergency duty doctor have been terminated. Recommendations for departmental action have also been made against Dr. Ajay Kumar Tiwari and Dr. Neelima Dhawan. The salary for September 2026 for Dr. Mukesh Prajapati has been withheld. Staff nurse Neelam Maurya has been suspended for negligence in examining the patient and arranging for an ambulance. The inquiry also noted administrative oversights, including the labor room being locked and senior medical staff managing the case remotely.
The Maharaja Chet Singh Government District Hospital, where the incident occurred, has been under scrutiny. While the CMO denied allegations of caste discrimination, he confirmed that the inquiry identified significant negligence in patient care protocols. The actions taken against the medical personnel are intended to address these lapses and reinforce standards of patient treatment in government health facilities within Uttar Pradesh.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
