Rs 25 Lakh Compensation Sanctioned to Family of late Dr Vandana Das by Kerala Govt

Ernakulam: The Kerala High Court on Thursday was informed by the State Government that an amount of Rs 25 lakh compensation has been sanctioned to be paid to the family members of the late Dr. Vandana Das, who was brutally stabbed to death by a patient.

Recording the submission of the State, the HC bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Kauser Edappagath also opined that the adequacy of the amount of compensation is not within the purview of the court.

"We must record upfront that the locus of the petitioner to maintain this case is debatable, but we choose not to answer it because Sri.S.Kannan - learned Senior Government Pleader, handed over across the Bar an order of the Government dated 02.06.2023, sanctioning an amount of Rs.25,00,000/- to the parents of late Vandana Das," the bench noted.

"The adequacy of the amounts now ordered by the Government is not something that is within the purview of our competence to adjudicate; and in any event, it is an issue that is fully within the directions of the Government. They have chosen to exercise it as afore said," it further observed.

The 23-year-old house surgeon, Dr Das was attacked by a prisoner who was brought to government taluk hospital in Kottarakkara in Kerala's Kollam district for treatment of his injuries. After being stabbed by the patient with scissors, Dr. Das was immediately taken to a private hospital in Kottarakkara, where she died while undergoing treatment.

Also Read: Dr Vandana Das Death: Lawyer moves HC seeking Rs 1 crore compensation for Doctor's Family

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that a lawyer had approached the HC bench seeking Rs 1 Crore compensation for the bereaved family members of the late doctor.

Approaching the High Court Division Bench comprising Justices P.B. Suresh Kumar and P.G. Ajithkumar, the lawyer contended the tragedy happened due to systemic failure. Further, the petitioner pointed out how the Government has not announced any compensation for the bereaved family of the deceased doctor.

It was further submitted by the petitioner that while the State had earlier given "fabulous amounts" to the families who sustained similar losses, he has been pained by the non-consideration in the case of Dr. Das.

Recently, the Kerala Government decided to Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the family of Dr Vandana Das. The decision in this regard was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. It was decided that Dr. Das’ family would be given compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Now, the State has informed the Kerala HC bench about this decision and taking note of the same the bench clarified that the sufficiency of the amount of compensation is not within the domain of the court.

Also Read: Rs 25 lakh Govt financial aid to family of Late Dr Vandana Das who was stabbed to death by patient

Sri.C.Rajendran, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that since the Government has offered an exgratia payment to the victims of other incidents, the refusal to do so favouring the family of late Vandana Das is inequitable and unconscionable. He alleged that the safety of doctors and healthcare professionals in our State is still lacking in many aspects; and thus that the intervention of this Court is necessary.

Referring to the issue, the HC bench observed, "As far as the other reliefs in this writ petition are concerned, we already seized of it in the connected matters, and do not think that any orders are necessary in this writ petition qua the same."

"In the afore circumstances, recording that the Government has issued an order bearing G.O.(Ms) No.124/2023/RD dated 02.06.2023, we close this writ petition without any further orders," it further noted.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that while considering a similar matter concerning the instances of violence against doctors and also taking cognisance of the unfortunate demise of Dr Vandana Das, the Kerala HC Division bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and Kauser Edappagath had earlier issued certain directions.

Meanwhile, taking note of the continuous violence against doctors following the unfortunate demise of Dr Vandana Das, the Kerala Government approved an ordinance aimed at protecting doctors, healthcare workers, and medical students and the ordinance has also been published on the official gazette.