Agartala, July 10: The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has ordered an independent inquiry into the death of a pregnant woman at Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant (IGM) Hospital, observing that the records placed before it raise doubts over the treatment provided and the decision not to refer the patient to a higher medical facility.
A bench headed by THRC Chairperson Justice Arindam Lodh took suo motu cognisance of the incident following media reports published on May 30 alleging medical negligence in the death of 33-year-old Bibha Debnath, a resident of Baishnab Tilla in Amtali.
Earlier, the Commission had sought a report from the Director of Health Services. However, after examining the documents submitted, the THRC noted that the report was based primarily on communications from doctors of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of IGM Hospital rather than on an independent inquiry conducted by the Health Department.
According to the medical report, Bibha Debnath was admitted to IGM Hospital on May 28 with complaints of abdominal pain and urinary retention during pregnancy. Doctors recommended an emergency Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS). However, the patient and her husband allegedly declined consent for the surgery after being informed of the associated risks and opted for a “wait and watch” approach.
The report stated that the patient remained under observation throughout the night. In the early hours of May 29, she reportedly became unconscious. Despite resuscitation efforts by the medical team, she was declared dead at around 6 a.m.
While the report sought to establish that there was no negligence on the part of the treating doctors, the Commission observed that it failed to explain whether the patient’s condition had deteriorated beyond the hospital’s capacity to treat her or why she was not referred to another institution for advanced care.
“It was not possible for the Medical Officer to treat her in the hospital and the Medical Officer also did not propose to refer the patient anywhere for better treatment. This creates doubt regarding the action of the treating Medical Officer,” the Commission observed in its order.
Finding the existing report inadequate, the THRC directed its Investigation Wing to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations and submit its findings. The matter has been listed for August 12, 2026, when the Investigation Wing is expected to place its report before the Commission.
