Rajouri, Sept 7: A startling incident has come to fore in Rajouri where a newborn baby allegedly died during delivery while the mother is battling for life and has been put on ventilator support at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri.
The woman, whose identity has been withheld, is a resident of Mammankote in Chassana tehsil of Mahore sub-division of Reasi district. She had been brought to GMC Rajouri for delivery.
According to the woman’s family, she was allegedly taken from the hospital to a private room outside the hospital premises by a female nursing staffer, an ASHA worker and another woman on the pretext of facilitating a normal delivery.
“We were waiting for delivery of baby when the nursing staff and others approached and lured us.” they said.
The family alleged that complications developed during the delivery in the private room, following which the newborn died, while the woman’s condition deteriorated due to excessive bleeding and she was subsequently shifted for critical care at GMC Rajouri.
Speaking about the incident, the woman’s husband alleged that the nursing staffer, ASHA worker and another woman had persuaded them to shift to the private room for delivery.
He alleged that complications arose during the process, resulting in the death of the baby, while his wife is now battling for her life.
The husband has demanded strict punishment against those found responsible for the incident.
Meanwhile, Rajouri Police, in an official statement, said it had taken cognisance of a written complaint received at Police Station Rajouri regarding the circumstances surrounding the stillbirth of the newborn.
Police said the involvement of two individuals, including a woman employee of GMC Rajouri, had surfaced in the case.
A case, FIR No. 465/2026, under Sections 106(1)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), has been registered at Police Station Rajouri, and investigation is underway.
The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances leading to the newborn’s death and determine the role, if any, of the persons named in the complaint.
Meanwhile, the Government Medical College and Associated Hospital Rajouri has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to conduct a detailed probe into the death of a newborn baby of a woman from Chassana, Reasi, amid allegations regarding the involvement of hospital staffers in the incident.
The order, issued by Principal GMC Rajouri Prof. (Dr.) A.S. Bhatia on September 7, stated that the inquiry committee was constituted in view of a viral video circulating on social media regarding the death of the newborn of Sushma Devi, wife of Ragveer, resident of Chasana, Reasi, and allegations regarding the involvement of staffers from GMC & AH Rajouri.
The committee has been tasked with enquiring into the matter in depth and recommending further action. It has been directed to submit its report to the Principal’s office within three days.
The committee comprises Dr. Shamim Ahmed, Medical Superintendent, as Chairman; Dr. Chander Sheikhar, HoD Obstetrics and Gynaecology, as Member; Dr. Vidushi Badyal, HoD ENT, as Member; and Hanan Shawl (JKAS), Administrative Officer, as Member Secretary.
The development comes amid allegations by the family of the woman that she was taken to a private room outside the hospital for delivery, following which complications allegedly developed, resulting in the death of the newborn while the mother’s condition remained critical.
Meanwhile, Rajouri Police has already taken cognisance of a written complaint regarding the circumstances surrounding the newborn’s stillbirth and registered FIR No. 465/2026 under Sections 106(1)/3(5) of the BNS at Police Station Rajouri. The police investigation is underway.
The hospital-level inquiry is expected to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and examine the alleged involvement of hospital staffers before recommending further action.
