#Justice for Dr Preethi: KMC PG student, who attempted suicide, dies at NIMS

Hyderabad: Kakatiya Medical College (KMC) PG student Dr Preethi, who attempted suicide over harassment by a senior, succumbed at NIMS, Hyderabad, on Sunday. Preethi joined KMC for a PG course three months ago.

Tension prevailed at the hospital with family members and student organizations seeking justice. Family members demanded a case sheet on the treatment given to Preethi. They blocked RICU and were reluctant to sign papers for shifting Preethi to Gandhi Hospital for post-mortem on Sunday night. Finance Minister Harish Rao assured them justice. After post-mortem, mortal remains of Preethi has been shifted to Girini Tanda village, Jangoan district.

Deputy Commissioner of police (west zone) Joel Davis visited the hospital and spoke to the parents. A health bulletin was released by the medical superintendent of NIMS Hyderabad. "In continuation of the health update of Dr Preethi, despite continuous efforts by a multidisciplinary team of specialist doctors, she could not be saved and was declared dead on February 26", the bulletin read.

What happened

On February 22, the first-year post-graduate medical student at Kakatiya Medical College (KMC), Warangal, was found unconscious in MGM Hospital. She was on the night shift on February 21 and was last seen at the OP.

Preethi died by suicide by injecting herself with a heavy dose of suspected anesthesia in the MGM Hospital, where she was doing her night duty. Preethi took this extreme decision due to harassment by Dr. Saif, a second-year student in the department of anesthesia at the KMC.

In a medical bulletin, NIMS superintendent said Dr. Preethi suffered a multiorgan failure with ventilatory and ionotropic support. The doctors said she continues to be critical, and efforts are being made to maintain her vital functions.

Following the incident, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan visited NIMS to enquire about the condition of the student. State Health Minister T Harish Rao said the Telangana government would conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident and take steps against those responsible.

Dr.Saif was arrested:

After a complaint was registered by Preethi's father Narender, an ASI in the Railway Police Force (RPF), a case was registered in the Mattewada police station (Warangal commissionerate), under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against second-year PG medico Dr. Saif. He was arrested and sent to 14 days remand.

According to Warangal Commissioner of Police A V Ranganath, Dr. Saif was ragging her. Police said they checked the victim's WhatsApp chats and found that Dr. Saif had been harassing her. A day before the suicide attempt, Preethi searched on google about what injections can lead to death.

A few days before, Preethi cried over harassment by a senior who asked her to work extra hours in the MGM Hospital. Narender spoke to the Mattewada police over the phone and asked them to look into the matter.

After the victim's father complained, Mattewada police immediately asked KMC principal Dr. Divvela Mohan Das to take appropriate action against Dr. Saif. Three days back, both students were counseled by the Principal and HOD of the anesthesia department, Dr. K Nagarjuna Reddy. A day before she took the extreme decision, Preethi spoke to her mother about being harassed by Dr. Saif.

A phone call conversation between Preethi and her mother says that Dr. Saif's harassment is growing by the day. "Saif is harassing many junior students. All the seniors are together. If I lodge a complaint against him, all the seniors will keep me at a distance", said the conversation. Preethi was heard narrating her nightmare to her mother on the phone call. Preethi's mother was heard responding to her, saying she would set everything right by speaking to Saif.

Family demands justice:

Preethi's father, Narender, demanded a detailed investigation with the appointment of a sitting judge. The family members asked the government to file a case against the HOD of the anesthesia department, Dr. K Nagarjuna Reddy, and suspend him. "She is the first doctor from our village, and we did not expect her to come to our village in this way. It is not a suicide, she was killed by Dr. Saif. We want the government to bring out all those who are involved in my daughter's death," said Narender.

Finance Minister Harish Rao agreed to the demands of the family members. He announced Rs 30 lakh support from the Telangana government, and a government job to one of the family members. The minister assured justice to the family, through fast-track court. Minister assured to have a fact-finding committee in this case, and transfer of HOD.

Medical colleges Bandh today

Tensed situation prevailed at NIMS after tribal organizations staged a protest demanding justice for Preethi and a detailed probe into the incident. Many protestors, including women, were taken into custody and shifted to the nearby police station.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) called for a bandh in all medical colleges on Monday.

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