Jharkhand: Lynching victim died as his head injury wasn't detected
Last week, a 22-year-old man succumbed to injuries in Jharkhand after being brutally thrashed by a mob. The death of Tabrez Ansari, days after the attack, sparked outrage across the nation. Now, an Indian Express report has claimed he might have died because his head injury wasn't detected by the doctor who treated him. For how long will carelessness take lives in this country?
Background: Accusing him of theft, mob beat Ansari
On June 18, a ruthless mob at Dhatkidih village of Seraikela-Kharsawan district beat Ansari. They claimed he stole a bike. Ansari, who got married only 45 days ago, was tied to a pole and assaulted. He was also forced to chant "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Hanuman". Subsequently, Ansari was handed over to the police and a magistrate sent him to judicial custody.
Ansari could have died due to brain hemorrhage
After the atrocious attack by the mob, police took Ansari to Sadar Hospital. The doctor-on-duty OP Kesri discharged him after preliminary check-ups. In all probability, Ansari died due to brain hemorrhage caused by head injury, the report added. Deputy Superintendent of Sadar Hospital, Dr. Bariyal Mari said, "There was an injury on the right frontoparietal region, which was left undetected by the doctor."
Ansari might have gone in shock due to attack: Doctor
Ansari's post-mortem was conducted by a three-member board. Apart from Dr. Mari, this team included Dr. Anirban Mahto and Dr. VDP Singh. Dr. Mari said the team would confirm the cause of death after going through forensic tests to "check for any chemical imbalance". He explained that the body goes into shock during crush injuries, hence a forensic test is mandatory.
Chemical imbalance can also lead to deaths, explained Dr. Mari
"The forensics lab will ascertain whether there was a chemical imbalance in the body, which could have also led to death. Even this investigation was not ordered by the doctor. But in all possibility, the death is due to the head injury," Dr. Mari said.
Ansari didn't complain about head injury, doctor gave him certificate
When Ansari was brought to the hospital for the first time, he had trouble walking. "An X-ray was taken since he was limping, but there was no knee fracture. Even then, he did not complain of any pain in his head. So the doctor gave a 'fit to travel' certificate after which he was taken to jail," Dr. Mari told the daily.
Subsequently, Ansari's condition deteriorated, he complained of dizziness and vomiting
The Deputy Superintendent also noted that Ansari didn't complain about pain in the skull, but added that Dr. Kesri should have been more proactive. Since he never got proper treatment in the first place, his condition deteriorated. On June 21, he complained of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Since the jail doctor was on leave, Dr. Kesri went there and gave him medicines.
Ansari died on June 22, Jharkhand police arrested 11
On June 22, Ansari was taken to Sadar Hospital again. His family members also reached there and rushed him to Jamshedpur's Tata Main Hospital, where he was declared "brought dead". Till Monday, Jharkhand police had arrested 11 people and suspended two cops for laxity.
