Government rejects Opposition’s call for CBI enquiry into doctor Vandana’s murder

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition’s accusation that the State police investigation into the workplace murder of young house surgeon Vandana Das at the Kottarakara taluk hospital causality in May 2023 was deficient and riddled with legal loopholes favouring the assailant.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition’s accusation that the State police investigation into the workplace murder of young house surgeon Vandana Das at the Kottarakara taluk hospital causality in May 2023 was deficient and riddled with legal loopholes favouring the assailant.

Kerala Congress (J) legislator Mons Joseph raised Vandana’s parents’ worries about the State police probe through a Calling Attention Motion in the Assembly on Wednesday (February 14).

Mr. Joseph said Vandana’s parents had said the State police probe insulated local officers, who failed to protect Vandana when the assailant stabbed her in their presence in the hospital’s causality, from legal jeopardy.

He pointed out that the High Court had stigmatised the State police for fleeing from the spot and dismally failing to protect the doctor from wanton violence.

“The court pointed out the firearms issued to the officers were not ornaments but tools for protecting the life and property of citizens in the face of imminent and lethal danger”, he said.

Mr. Joseph said the bereaved parents also accused the police of arm-twisting witnesses, including Vandana’s colleagues, to give statements to suit their script.

He said the public needed clarification on why Vandana had a four-hour delay in getting medical assistance. Moreover, Mr. Joseph said the police conveyed Vandana to a private hospital in the capital, further hobbling her survival chances.