Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured the Himachal Pradesh Assembly that a free and impartial inquiry is being conducted into the death of 23-year-old Rajni Sharma during childbirth at a hospital in Kullu.
He made the statement on Monday while replying to a question by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur during Question Hour.
CM Sukhu on Kullu childbirth death probe
Sukhu said it would be unfair to hold the treating doctor responsible without completing the inquiry. At the same time, he added, it would be equally wrong to ignore the possibility of medical negligence.
"The government will not protect anyone. Action will be taken on the basis of a free and impartial investigation by the Joint Director, Health," Sukhu said.
Appeal to not politicise the incident
The Chief Minister appealed to members not to view the incident through a political prism. He said the entire state was pained by the death of the young woman, who left behind a newborn.
"The government will not protect anyone. Action will be taken on the basis of a free and impartial investigation by the Joint Director, Health." — Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Our Take: Accountability must follow the inquiry
To put it plainly, this is a sensible position from the Chief Minister. He has not rushed to defend the doctor, nor has he jumped to conclusions about negligence. That is the right way to handle a sensitive case like this.
The key test now is whether the inquiry by the Joint Director, Health is truly independent and thorough. The family of Rajni Sharma deserves a clear answer on what went wrong. The assurance that the government will not protect anyone is welcome — but the public will be watching to see if that promise holds in practice.
This case also highlights a larger concern about maternal healthcare in the region. While the political debate continues, the focus should stay on the young woman who lost her life and the newborn she left behind. They deserve justice, not just assurances.