Varanasi: Days after a 30-year-old ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker died allegedly following a C-section performed by a quack at a Sonbhadra hospital that had been sealed multiple times by authorities, police arrested two people, including a nurse, late Monday.
Arrests Made in ASHA Worker Death Case
Sonbhadra circle officer (Obra) Amit Kumar said on Tuesday that teams from Kone police station arrested staff nurse Salma, who was carrying a reward of Rs 10,000, along with her assistant, Zohra Bibi, in connection with the death of ASHA worker Seema Devi. Both were sent to judicial custody.
The officer added that efforts have been intensified to apprehend the main accused, quack Naseem, on whom a reward of Rs 25,000 has been announced, with police conducting raids at his suspected hideouts.
Details of the Botched Surgery
After the botched surgery, Naseem and his associates allegedly fled without even stitching her abdomen. The newborn, however, survived.
Sonbhadra CMO Dr PK Rai said that the Global Hospital and Surgical Centre, which had been sealed three times earlier, including on March 20, was sealed again by a joint team of the health department, district administration and police.
Legal Action Taken
A named FIR has been lodged at the Kone police station against the hospital operators, Naseem and Salma. They have been booked under charges of culpable homicide amounting to murder, aggravated cheating and dishonest inducement, along with provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act.
Dr Rai said the services of the ambulance driver, who allegedly transported the ASHA worker to the private facility instead of a govt hospital, have been terminated. Action has also been taken against the medical transport (MT) operator.
Sequence of Events
According to reports, Seema Devi, a resident of Singa Bagesoti village and mother of four daughters, was taken to the Kachanrawa Primary Health Centre late Friday after she went into labour. The family alleged that the auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) on duty informed them that Seema required an immediate C-section. When the family expressed concern about arranging treatment at such a late hour, they were allegedly directed to Naseem's hospital.
Seema was transported to the private facility in a govt ambulance. Her family claimed that upon arrival, hospital staff obtained their signatures on several documents and demanded a deposit of Rs 50,000 before admitting her. She subsequently underwent a C-section and gave birth to a baby boy.
The family initially celebrated the birth of the long-awaited son. However, their joy soon turned into grief when Seema allegedly died shortly after the surgery. Family members alleged that those who performed the operation fled without suturing her surgical wound, reportedly saying they were going to arrange an ambulance.
Background of the Hospital
The Global Hospital and Surgical Centre had been sealed three times before this incident, including on March 20, due to prior violations. Despite multiple actions by authorities, the facility continued to operate illegally, leading to this tragic outcome.
Ongoing Investigation
Police are continuing their search for the main accused, quack Naseem, who remains at large. A reward of Rs 25,000 has been announced for information leading to his arrest. Authorities are also investigating the role of the ambulance driver and the medical transport operator, who have been removed from their positions.
This incident highlights the persistent issue of unlicensed medical practitioners operating in the region, despite repeated efforts by health departments and law enforcement to shut them down. The case has sparked outrage among local communities and calls for stricter enforcement of medical regulations.
