Vijayawada PG Student's Suspicious Death Triggers Administrative Action and Multi-Agency Probe
The tragic and suspicious death of final-year anesthesia postgraduate student Dr Bathula Deepika Anu in Vijayawada has set off a chain of administrative actions and a comprehensive, multi-layered investigation. The circumstances surrounding her demise on the night of February 4 remain shrouded in uncertainty, prompting serious questions from authorities and the victim's family alike.
Assistant Professor Faces Show-Cause Notice Over Duty Departure
According to preliminary investigative findings, Dr Deepika was present in the assistant professor's room shortly before the incident occurred. In a significant development, the head of the department has issued a formal show-cause notice to assistant professor Dr Sushma. Official records indicate that Dr Sushma was assigned night duty but reportedly left the hospital premises at approximately 8:30 PM on the evening in question. Authorities have clarified that further disciplinary action will be determined based on her response to the notice.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
Investigative sources revealed that if Dr Sushma had not departed early, both postgraduate students would have been together in the same room. Instead, the situation unfolded with Dr Deepika, a senior PG student, working alone in one room while a first-year postgraduate student was stationed in another area. At around 12:45 AM, Dr Deepika reportedly contacted her junior colleague, complaining of feeling unwell. The junior PG student promptly administered a cannula and injection before briefly leaving to attend to casualty duty responsibilities.
Upon returning to the operation theatre, the junior student made the distressing discovery of Dr Deepika lying unconscious on the operating table. This sequence of events has become a focal point for investigators attempting to reconstruct the final hours before the tragedy.
Family Raises Doubts, Multiple Investigations Launched
Dr Deepika's father, Kodandarami Reddy, has submitted a formal memorandum to the health secretary expressing profound doubts about the circumstances leading to his daughter's death. He has raised serious questions about the events of that night and the overall environment at the medical facility.
In response to the incident, hospital authorities have constituted an internal inquiry committee comprising three senior professors. While this committee has conducted preliminary investigations, their findings have not yet been made public. Simultaneously, local police have launched their own investigation, questioning postgraduate students, staff nurses, and theatre assistants who were on duty during the critical period.
Comprehensive Investigation Parameters
Investigators are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to uncover the truth behind this tragedy. Key areas of focus include:
- Access Verification: Determining whether any unauthorized individuals entered the operation theatre during the relevant time period
- Digital Forensics: Scrutinizing Dr Deepika's phone records for potential clues about her activities and communications
- Medical Evidence: Awaiting the official postmortem report, which authorities believe may provide crucial insights into the exact cause of death
- Duty Protocol Review: Examining whether proper procedures were followed regarding staff assignments and supervision
The medical community in Vijayawada remains deeply affected by this incident, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in postgraduate medical training programs. As investigations continue across multiple fronts, authorities emphasize their commitment to uncovering the complete truth behind this tragic loss of a promising medical professional.
