Rekha Sharma, chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), on May 26, visited the family of Dr Vandana Das, who was stabbed to death at a Government hospital in Kottarakkara, Kollam, Kerala, by a patient who was brought there by police for treatment. Chairperson met K G Mohandas and Vasanthakumari, the parents of the deceased, for thirty minutes and consoled them and heard them patiently.
Afterwards, the chairperson spoke to the media persons on her visit to Vandana’s parents. She said the family is not satisfied with the probe Kerala Police has been carrying out. She said that Dr Vandana’s parents requested a CBI enquiry into the murder case. The family has reportedly complained to her that police did not intervene to stop the accused from the brute action; they were not physically fit to rise to the occasion.
Since Dr Vandana’s parents lodged a complaint before the Commission, Chairperson called the Superintendent and doctor of the Kottarakkara Government Hospital, the place where the murder took place, the Assistant Superintendent of Police in Kottarakkara and the Circle Inspector of Police (the investigation officer) to Kochi and collected reports including Action Taken Report. The officials showed her the available CCTV visuals, including the scene of the culprit stabbing a policeman in the hospital. The CCTV did not cover the area where Dr Vandana was stabbed to death.
Before flying to Kerala, Rekha Sharma told in Delhi that Dr Vandana did not get the necessary treatment as soon she was attacked. Four people failed to stop the assailant. Dr Vandana’s screaming fell on deaf ears. She made it clear that Dr Vandana’s family members had not demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore. NCW has formed a two-member committee headed by the chairperson to look into the entire issue.
Early this week, Union Minister Smriti Irani also visited Dr Vandana’s parents.
