Woman found dead in hosp, kin allege murder

Kolkata: A 37-year-old woman from Sandeshkhali, Achhia Bibi, who gave birth to a baby girl at CNMC Hospital last Thursday, was found lying dead near a drain outside the gynaecology block around 10am on Monday.
Preliminary post mortem showed fractures in her rib and spine and injuries in her head and on the face. CCTV footage shows her leaving the gynaecology ward on the fourth floor and headed to a corridor, where the grille has an opening that leads to a small platform.
Hospital officials said Achhia Bibi was admitted to the hospital last Wednesday and the next day, she gave birth to a baby girl, her third child. Sources said her younger sister was also at the hospital as her attendant.
Hospital sources said Achhia Bibi was showing signs of post-partum distress.
On Sunday afternoon, the sister had gone out to fetch drinking water but when she returned, she could not find Achhia Bibi. She called the sister-in-charge, who in turn, altered the hospital authorities. Sources said she might have left the ward between 4pm and 5pm.
The family alleged Achhia Bibi’s hands were tied, a charge denied by both the hospital and police. The body bore marks of injuries that indicated rodents or dogs might have tried to feed on her, they alleged. Achhia Bibi’s husband, Najrul Meer, lodged a murder complaint at the Beniapukur PS, following which cops from the police station and the detective department’s homicide section began a probe. “We suspect she had fallen through a gap in the grille next to the bathroom. The way her body was found, it looks like she might have jumped off,” an officer said. “The woman had been missing from the ward since Sunday afternoon and was found dead behind the gynaecology block,” said DC (SED) Sudip Sarkar.
The hospital has formed a five-member panel.