Probe finds doctor guilty of botched abortion

HYDERABAD: An inquiry, conducted into the death of an engineering student following an alleged botched abortion, is learnt to have revealed that Dr Girija Rani-who runs Anusha Maternity Clinic- did not follow rules such as conducting pregnancy confirmation test. “The inquiry is completed,” confirmed Rangareddy district medical and health officer Dr Balaji Pawar. However, the Vanasthalipuram police have not received it yet. “We have not received the report yet,” said S Murali Krishna, inspector. Meanwhile, Dr Girija Rani has come out of jail on bail, according to the police. 

In the second week of August, the 19-year-old student, who was 20-weeks pregnant, was brought to Anusha Maternity Clinic at Kamalanagar by her partner. When she started bleeding heavily, the student was rushed to another private hospital where she died on the night of August 6. 

However, officials said it remained unclear whether the girl took pills by herself to induce abortion or whether they were given to her at the clinic. 

After the girl’s father lodged complaint with the Vanasthalipuram police, Dr Girija Rani, the girl’s partner Madhu and K Sirisha, who struck a deal for Rs 20,000 for the procedure, were arrested in August and an inquiry was launched by the Rangareddy DMHO. Officials said that the inquiry revealed that pregnancy confirmation test was not conducted on the girl. “The doctor did not confirm whether the girl was pregnant. A test has to be conducted for the purpose.

Besides, as per rules, opinion has to be sought from another doctor, which was not followed,” an official said, adding that details about where the girl took pills was mentioned in the case sheets. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 states that if a foetus is 12 to 20 weeks old, the opinion of two registered medical practitioners is needed. In August, Vanasthalipuram police registered cases against the doctor under  Sections 312 (Causing miscarriage) and 314 r/w 34 (death caused by an intent to cause miscarriage) of IPC. Also, cases were registered under Section 417 (cheating) of IPC against Madhu. 

Police had said earlier that they were waiting for the DMHO’s inquiry report so that cases can be registered under MTP Act. “We have not received the report yet,” said Murali Krishnal. Following the death, health officials served a show-cause notice and are awaiting response. When the news of the death broke, officials said Anusha Maternity Clinic did not have licence to perform abortions as it expired in March.

Case to figure at workshop
At a workshop to be held for all registered medical practitioners in Rangareddy district who perform abortions, details of the case will be explained, said  DMHO Balaji Pawar. The three-day workshop is scheduled to be held in October where rules under Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act-1994, will be explained again.