Renowned Oncologist Threatened, Rs 8.25 lakh blood money demanded

Kochi: In a shocking incident, Dr V P Gangadharan, one of India’s leading oncologists, received a death threat from an unidentified group who accused him of negligence in the death of a young girl and demanded Rs 8.25 lakh as ''blood money".

The accused group in the letter demanded Rs 8.25 lakh, which they described as 'blood money' and warned of harm to his family if the money was not paid.

The letter, which reportedly arrived by post on May 17 at Lakeshore Hospital, bore a German postal seal. After initially considering ignoring it, Dr Gangadharan submitted the letter to local authorities two days later and filed a police complaint.

Based on the complaint, the Maradu Police have registered a case and are coordinating with the cyber cell and the postal department to trace those behind the threat.

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Dr Gangadharan is widely regarded as one of the top oncologists in the country and is deeply respected by his peers and patients alike. Speaking to IANS, he said that he was deeply disturbed by the threat and had no idea who could be behind it.

“It came in the form of a letter, demanding Rs 8.25 lakh. It warned that if the money wasn’t paid, the lives of my entire family would be in danger,” said Dr Gangadharan, known for his soft-spoken demeanour and dedication to patients.

“I received it from Germany, or at least that’s what the postal seal indicated,” he added. He said that the letter claimed to be from an organisation named ‘Citizens For Justice’, allegedly based in Mumbai.

It accused him of being responsible for the death of a young female patient and claimed her mother died by suicide afterwards. The group claimed that the girl’s father had approached them seeking justice.

“I searched my records but couldn’t find any such case. I also alerted the hospitals I work with,” said the veteran medical cancer specialist, currently attached to two leading hospitals in Kochi.

“Initially, I thought of ignoring it, but then I realised it could be a racket targeting doctors. Others may have received similar letters,” he said. Dr Gangadharan said the Cyber Cell of the local police is now involved in the investigation.

A police officer in this regard told TNIE, “The letter demanded Rs 8.25 lakh in blood money, to be paid in Bitcoin via a link or QR code enclosed in the message. It warned that failure to comply would endanger the lives of the doctor and his family."

S. Sreejith, Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) and head of the Cyber Wing in Kerala, told IANS that he had not yet been informed of the complaint, but added: “Now that it has come to my notice, we will examine the matter seriously.”

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