In letter to PM, IMA demands justice for Rajasthan doctor who died by suicide
India Today
IMA writes a letter to PM Modi demanding justice for a Rajasthan doctor who died by suicide, reportedly triggered by a murder FIR against her over the death of a patient.
The Indian Medical Association on Friday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to make the existing law on violence against doctors more stringent. The move comes after the uproar in the medical fraternity over the suicide of Dr Archana Sharma, who was booked for the "murder" of a pregnant woman,
In its letter, the IMA cited the SC judgement in the Jacob Mathews Vs. The Union of India case so that a legislative modality in the governing law, including the Criminal Procedure Code, can be brought about to provide insulation to the medical profession and professionals.
The letter read: "As such, it is earnestly requested that your kindself may kindly intervene and direct the appropriate Ministry to invoke incorporation of the guidelines brought out by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Jacob Mathews Vs. Union of India case through a required legislative modality in the governing Law including Criminal Procedure Code to provide the required insulation to the medical profession and professionals and, resultantly, to society as a whole."
The IMA stated that it would observe a protest day on April 2 to demand justice for Dr Archana and changes in the Indian Penal Code to decriminalise the medical profession.
Also, the association demanded intervention to book and arrest the police officials and sought adequate compensation for Dr Archana Sharma's family.
The letter has been released by Dr Sahajanand Prasad Singh, National President IMA and Dr Jayesh Lele, Honorary Secretary General of the IMA.
A pregnant woman had died during childbirth at a private hospital run by Dr Archana and her husband in Dausa district of Rajasthan. Following this, the family members of the deceased woman protested outside the hospital, demanding strict action against Dr Sharma. Subsequently, she was booked on murder charges. Stressed over the matter, Sharma died by suicide and mentioned in a note the harassment that she had to face.
