Lawyer Moves Kerala High Court Seeking ₹1 Crore Compensation For Family Of Kollam Doctor Stabbed To Death By Man In Custody During Checkup

A lawyer has approached the Kerala High Court seeking Rs. 1 Crore compensation for the bereaved family members of the 23 years old house surgeon, Dr. Vandana Das, who was brutally killed by an injured man brought to the government hospital in a police jeep, in Kottarakkara, Kollam.

The incident occurred during the wee hours of the morning on May 10, 2023, when the house surgeon was on duty. She was stabbed multiple times by Sandeep, a school teacher, using dressing room scissors. The attacker was brought to the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital by the police for treatment of his injuries.

The matter is before the Division Bench comprising Justice P.B. Suresh Kumar and Justice P.G. Ajithkumar. The plea avers that the tragedy was a result of systemic failure and yet, the Government has not announced any compensation to the bereaved family.

"Dr. Vandana Das was the only daughter and her death cannot be compensated in terms of money. The doctor's community across the State has been frequently demanding the Government to provide necessary security to doctors in the Hospitals. The physical attack towards doctors has been increasing day by day," the plea states. 

The petitioner submits that while the State Government had earlier given "fabulous amounts" to bereaved families who sustained similar losses, the non-consideration of the present case has pained him.

The petitioner has thus sought a direction to the State authorities to pay minimum Rs. 1 Crore compensation to the family of the deceased house surgeon; monitoring of the investigation by the Court in order to secure the ends of justice; and issuance of guidelines for providing security to the doctors, nurses, and other staff in Hospitals across the State, as well as the provision of armed forces in all casualties of all Government Hospitals across the State. 

Advocates C. Rajendran, B.K. Gopalakrishnan, and Sreevidya R.S. appear on behalf of the petitioner. 

Significantly, another Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Kauser Edappagath is seized of the matter to the extent of finding out lapses that led to the tragedy. It has directed the Police Department to put in place protocols for the manner in which persons in custody of the police are to be presented for medical check ups, with protection to the doctors, healthcare professionals, students, interns, house surgeons and others being prioritized.

Case Title: Adv. Manoj Rajagopal v. State of Kerala & Ors.