Put in jail for demanding job, woman dies after childbirth

KORAPUT: A pregnant woman, who was arrested by police in Rayagada district for protesting with a group of job seekers, succumbed to post-delivery complications at midnight, a day after she was granted bail after spending 16 days behind bars.
Sulabati Naik, 32, a resident of Andrakanch village under Maikanch panchayat, was among the 13 women arrested on December 26, for demanding jobs in a private company as they reside in its periphery.
Tulsi Naik, a relative of the dead woman said that Sulabati was sent to judicial custody after her bail was rejected by a court at Kashipur as police had labelled section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) among other sections of the IPC against her. "After the court reopened on January 2, we had filed the bail application, but it got delayed as police sought her remand in two separate old cases and finally her bail application was accepted on Tuesday," said Baidya.
However, soon after stepping out from jail on Tuesday evening, she was rushed to the district headquarters hospital as she complained of pain.
The same night Sulabati delivered a baby boy but as her condition deteriorated, she was referred to the SLN medical college and hospital at Koraput on Wednesday night. "The newborn has been kept under observation at the special newborn care unit of Rayagada hospital." he added.
According to Tulsi, around 1.30 am, Sulabati succumbed on way to SLN medical college and hospital near Kakrigumma in Koraput district, about 70 kilometres from Rayagada. "Sulabati's husband is a daily wage earner and has a 10 year-old daughter. We demand adequate compensation for the bereaved family from the government," said Tulsi.
Congress MP from Koraput Saptagri Sankar Ulaka has demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident and a financial compensation of Rs 1 crore for the deceased's family. "How can police arrest a woman in her advanced stage of pregnancy that too under attempt to murder charges is to be properly investigated. Was the deceased provided with adequate medical assistance during her stay in jail? We demand compensation of Rs 1 crore for the deceased family and will approach the NHRC," said Ulaka. SP (Rayagada) Vivekananda Sharma said they are looking into the matter and will take necessary action.