Gehlot seeks compensation for post-caesarean deaths, demands strict action against guilty doctors

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has termed the post-caesarean delivery deaths reported in Kota and Bikaner as an “institutional failure” of the state government and demanded the registration of FIRs and strict departmental action against the doctors and officials found responsible.

Gehlot, who earlier this week visited the New Medical College Hospital in Kota, met the women undergoing treatment there and enquired about their health and condition.

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Expressing concern over alleged negligence and dereliction of duty by doctors and officials, Gehlot has written a letter to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, seeking justice for the affected women, most of whom belong to economically weaker sections of society.

The senior Congress leader said the condition of the hospital and the suffering of the victims had deeply saddened him. He urged the government to make public the report of the probe conducted by a team of experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and demanded that criminal cases be registered against the guilty doctors and other staff members.

In his letter, Gehlot wrote, “I personally visited the hospital in Kota on June 17, 2026, and found the situation there and the condition of the affected women extremely concerning. All these women belong to weaker sections of society and require additional care and support from the hospital authorities.”

He said he was informed that since May 4, 2026, five women had died due to complications arising after caesarean surgeries. These women had reportedly suffered kidney failure following the procedures.

Gehlot said the doctors at the hospital were unable to provide a clear explanation regarding the exact causes of the deaths. However, media reports citing the AIIMS probe report reportedly pointed towards the possibility of spurious medicines in the hospital supply chain and infection in the operation theatre (OT).

He added that five more women suffering from similar post-caesarean complications were still undergoing treatment at the hospital. They were also facing kidney-related complications and required dialysis two to three times a week.

In Bikaner, too, five women were battling post-delivery complications in different units of the Gynaecology Ward at PBM Hospital. They were also reportedly suffering from kidney failure.

Meanwhile, a report from Bikaner stated that one of the five patients, Preeti (30), succumbed to kidney-related complications.

Among his other demands, the former Chief Minister sought adequate compensation for the next of kin of the deceased women and a guarantee of lifelong free medical treatment for those still undergoing treatment at hospitals.