A lawyer has approached the Kerala High Court seeking compensation to the tune of ₹1 crore to the family members of 23-year-old house surgeon, Dr. Vandana Das, who was brutally murdered by an injured man brought to the hospital by the police. [Dr. Manoj Rajagopal v. State of Kerala & Ors.]

In the early hours of May 10, Dr. Das, a 23-year-old house surgeon was stabbed to death by a school teacher named Sandeep who had been brought to the hospital for medical examination since he was infured in a brawl.

The petition before the High Court was moved by advocate Manoj Rajagopal, a member of the State Committee of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) Legal Cell.

The plea said that the incident had shocked him that it could have been averted if the hospital had been provided with enough security.

“The doctor’s community across the State has been frequently demanding the Government to provide necessary security to the hospitals. The physical attack towards doctors has been increasing day by day,” the plea said.

It was submitted that even though there was police aid at the Government hospital, the police was inactive to defend the illegal acts of the accused person.

“The police are duty bound to forecast such a dangerous situation of a hospital and thus they should be much efficient and alert in their duty hours. Retreat/run away from an encounter by police cannot be justified under any circumstances,” the plea said

Thus, there was systemic failure in the matter that led to the murder of Dr. Das, the petitioner submitted.

“In fact it has violated the fundamental right guaranteed to Dr Vanadana Das under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the plea added.

Rajagopal stated that he apprehends that there is foul play in the probe since Sandeep is allegedly a member of a the service organisation affiliated with CPI(M) (Communist Party of India (Marxist)). Another factor that contributed to his apprehension is that there are material discrepancies in the narration of the incident by the police in the FIR (first information report)

Therefore, the petitioner approached the Court to grant the parents of the deceased Dr. Das, a compensation of Rs₹1 crore within a fixed time frame.

He also sought for orders to ensure that the investigation into the case is monitored by the Court.

Additionally, he said that guidelines should be issued by the Court to provide security to doctors, nurses, and other staff in hospitals across the State and for directions to the State government to provide armed police officials in all casualties of government hospitals across the State.