Twin Tragedy rocks Rajasthan: Suicide, Electrocution of young doctors sparks statewide outrage

Jodhpur: The death of two resident doctors at two medical colleges in Rajasthan has sent a shockwave through the medical fraternity, who are now demanding an immediate investigation and action into these incidents.

Medical Dialogues recently reported on the tragic death of a 3rd-year postgraduate resident doctor in the Pharmacology Department of SN Medical College, Jodhpur, who allegedly committed suicide. 

While giving his dying declaration, the PG medico named the head of the pharmacology department at SN Medical College and accused him of mental harassment and torture. It was alleged that the HoD's constant pressure and toxic behaviour over his thesis caused the resident doctor severe stress and emotional distress. This resulted in protests from the medical fraternity and the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), Jodhpur had demanded an immediate removal of the HOD, along with a high-level independent inquiry.

Amid this, the news about the death of another resident doctor in Udaipur has been reported. A 35-year-old doctor got electrocuted while taking water from a cooler at the postgraduate hostel of Ravindranath Tagore (RNT) Medical College in Udaipur. The doctor was about to join the Maharana Bhupal Government Hospital.

The incidents have sparked protests from the medical fraternity, who are demanding a proper investigation and immediate action into the matters.

Also Read: Tensions mount at SN Medical College after PG medico's suicide: Resident doctors demand HoD's ouster, faculty urge fair inquiry

Doctors Warn of Complete Boycott of Duties: 

The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) at SN Medical College yesterday held a strike over the deaths of these two doctors and warned that if their demands were not met, they would be forced to go on a complete boycott of services, including emergency.

Issuing a Press Release, the association announced their decision to boycott work in protest against the silence of the administration in the Dr. Rakesh Vishnoi suicide case and administrative negligence in the death of Dr. Ravi Sharma, Udaipur.

"It is extremely sad and painful that our colleague Dr. Rakesh Vishnoi, 3rd Year Resident (Department of Pharmacology), recently took a drastic and intolerable step like suicide. In the video message left by him, mental harassment and administrative pressure have been clearly stated as the main reason for suicide, which is a deep shock for the entire resident community," read the Press Release issued by the association yesterday.

According to the RDA, after the serious incident, four major demands were presented to the administration on 15.06.2025. These demands included the demand for the immediate removal of the person concerned and an independent and impartial investigation.

"In the talks held between the college administration and RDA on the above subject yesterday, dated 18/06/2025, we were assured of action by the administration, as a result of which we took a step back from the decision of strike. Unfortunately, till date no concrete action has been taken by the administration in this serious and sensitive matter. The administration not taking any action indicates that the administration has no sympathy with the death of the resident doctor, which is definitely a matter of concern," mentioned the association.

"This silence not only shows insensitivity towards justice, but also seriously damages the faith in the entire medical system," it added.

Meanwhile, the association highlighted the incident of tragic death of Dr. Ravi Sharma in Udaipur on 19th June 2025 due to "administrative negligence". Accordingly, the RDA Jodhpur decided that there would be a complete strike on 19th June 2025 from 08:00 PM except for Emergency, EOT, ICU, LABOR ROOM.

However, the association warned that if no actions were taken even after this, they would boycott all work. "If even after this, no clear, sensitive and concrete steps are taken by the administration, then all the residents of SNMC will be forced to completely boycott the work including emergency services - The entire responsibility of which will be of the administration itself," RDA mentioned in the release.

The RDA has demanded immediate removal of the concerned person to ensure fair investigation into the death of SNMC Resident Doctor, consultation of an independent and impartial investigation committee, in which the victim's side and their family members should be heard seriously.

Further, the association has demanded the constitution of an internal investigation committee by the college administration, and opined that mental health, work safety and work environment of the resident doctors should be prioritized. 

"We expect from the administration that immediate, responsible and moral intervention will be ensured on this very sensitive issue, so that in future no other "Rakesh" or "Ravi" becomes a victim of the silence and negligence of this system," the release stated.

UDF Rajasthan Writes to Chief Minister for Impartial Investigation: 

The United Doctors Front, Rajasthan, has written to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan demanding a prompt impartial investigation and strict action against the culprits in the cases.

Referring to the instances of deaths of these two resident doctors in Rajasthn, the association mentioned in the letter addressed to the CM, "Both these incidents have plunged the entire medical community into deep grief and anger and have also raised serious questions on the safety of working conditions, administrative accountability and mental social well-being of resident doctors and have created an environment of insecurity and insensitivity."

Extending full solidarity with RDA Jodhpur and RDA Udaipur, UDF Rajasthan has appealed to the Chief Minister for a quick judicial/magisterial inquiry further urging that the report should be made public, immediate strict action against the culprits including the concerned administrative officials, transparent post-mortem and medical report, formation of a Resident Welfare Committee in every medical college, which should include the administration, senior faculty, RDA representative and an external judicial member.

"UDF believes that providing justice in both these cases and preventing such tragedies in future is not only an administrative responsibility, but also a question of the credibility of the entire medical system," the letter added.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, the State President of UDF Rajasthan, Dr. Bharat Pareek said, "The medical fraternity of Rajasthan is grieving and outraged over two back-to-back tragic incidents — the suicide of Dr. Rakesh Bishnoi (SNMC, Jodhpur) and the electrocution death of Dr. Ravi Sharma (RNTMC, Udaipur)."

"It has been six days since the shocking demise of Dr. Rakesh Bishnoi, yet no concrete action has been initiated by the administration. This delay reflects a deeply concerning level of apathy toward the mental health and well-being of resident doctors. In the case of Dr. Ravi Sharma, who lost his life due to electrocution while using a water cooler in the hostel premises, the negligence of the administration is undeniable. The responsible officials should have been immediately suspended, but that too remains pending," he further added.

"These are not isolated tragedies — they are grim reminders of a failing system. If these incidents are brushed aside without justice, it will send a dangerous message to thousands of doctors serving tirelessly across the state. We demand justice — and we will continue to stand united until it is delivered," added Dr. Pareek.

Medical Fraternity Extends Solidarity: 

Extending solidarity to the RDA Jodhpur and Udaipur, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), has urged the authorities to act without any further delay.

In an X post, FAIMA wrote, "FAIMA stands in strong solidarity with RDA Jodhpur and RDA Udaipur. Resident doctors are the backbone of our healthcare system — their demands are just and must be fulfilled urgently. We urge authorities to act without delay. #FAIMAStandsWithRajasthan @RajCMO"

The Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA-JDN) has also expressed its solidarity with the resident doctors at SNMC, Jodhpur. "IMA JDN stands in full solidarity with RDA SNMC, Jodhpur, demanding justice for Dr. Rakesh Vishnoi. No more silence over mental harassment. We support RDA’s call for suspension, judicial probe & safety reforms. Justice can’t wait. Accountability must begin," the association wrote on X.

"How many more young doctors must die before accountability becomes action? Enough is enough. The culture of harassment, mental trauma, and unchecked power dynamics in medical institutions must end now. We demand time-bound action, strict punishment & safe working conditions," IMA-JDN wrote on X.

"Demand immediate arrest of Dr. Rakesh Bishnoi's killers! RDA Jodhpur, it's your responsibility to lead a movement that sets an example nationwide. No faculty or senior should dare harass resident doctors again. @RajCMO please suspend & arrest the guilty officials now!" wrote Dr. Vishnu Rajgadia.

Also Read: Resident doctor dies after suicide attempt, accuses HoD Pharmacology of harassment