Patna, May 31: A 60-year-old doctor was beaten to death by seven prisoners at the Gopalganj jail on Sunday for reportedly refusing to issue false medical certificates.
The seven accused, all members of a local gang, were convicted last week in a kidnapping case. They had been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The victim, Dr Bhudev Singh, brother of former Janata Party MP from Chhapra Satyadeo Singh, was due to retire in another four months.
According to reports, one of the accused, Ranjan Yadav, who was suffering from chicken pox, called for Dr Singh on Sunday afternoon. Sources in the Gopalganj jail said Yadav had been putting pressure on the doctor to issue false medical certificates so that he and his accomplices would not be shifted to Buxar jail.
Another accused, Gorakh Yadav, reportedly wanted to remain in Gopalganj jail as he is also a zilla parishad member.
The others accused in the case are Anil Yadav, Surendra Yadav, Harilal Choudhary, Ajay Kumar and Munna Yadav.
Dr Singh, who suffered serious injuries in the attack, died while he was being taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital. His family members alleged that he had earlier sought security cover as he often faced pressure from prisoners to issue false medical certificates.
“My uncle had asked for a bodyguard from the district administration three months ago. He had been under constant threat from prisoners who wanted false medical certificates to facilitate their stay or transfer to other jails,” said Dr Singh’s nephew, Arun Kumar. He said that the doctor had even taken up his case at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s “Junta Durbar” twice.
Family members also said that Dr Singh could have been saved if he had been air-lifted to Patna.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, has ordered an inquiry by Home Secretary Amir Subhani.
“Police will file a chargesheet in 24 hours and press for speedy trial,” said Subhani, who reached the spot this afternoon. “Killing of a doctor by prisoners is bizarre. Though policemen did rush to help the doctor after he raised the alarm, he was severely beaten by then,” he said.
While Opposition leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui has demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has reiterated its demand for Medical Security Act.
–Agencies–