Pune woman’s death: KEM doctors convicted

The judicial magistrate (first class), SV Sahare, on Friday sentenced Dr Robin Nirdhe Majumdar of KEM Hospital quarters and Dr Suhas Raghubir Otiv of Kasba Peth to one month rigorous imprisonment and Rs2,000 fine each for causing the death of a woman due to negligence. A third accused, Dr Namita Krishna Bhatt is absconding.

The deceased, Mosha Sudhakar Tarte had undergone a family planning operation at the KEM Hospital on January 20, 1997.

According to the prosecution, she was discharged on January 23. However, the very next day, she began vomiting and had loose motions and was again admitted to the hospital on January 25. Her condition worsened and she died at the hospital on January 29.

Her parents had lodged a complaint with the police. Tarte’s post-mortem was conducted and the viscera was preserved. A seven-member expert committee which was formed to look into the matter concluded that it was the doctors’ negligence that had caused Tarte’s death.

Assistant public prosecutor Rajshree Kadam examined 10 prosecution witnesses, including five doctors from the expert committee, to prove the guilt of the accused. Kadam said, “The punishment is less because the accused are doctors. The third doctor, Namita is absconding.’’

Three minor girls rescued
The Faraskhana police rescued eight girls of which three were minor from the red light area on Thursday night. The police arrested the brothel keeper identified as Maili Rambhadur Tamang (55) of Nepal under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA).

Acting on a tip-off, the police team led by assistant commissioner of police Ranjit Dhure and his accomplices laid trap at Disco Building in Budhwar Peth and rescued the girls and
arrested Tamang.