Kolkata, Jan 15: The initial post-mortem report of Mamoni Ruidas, the woman who died at a state-run medical college and hospital in West Midnapore district on January 10 after being allegedly administered with expired Ringer’s Lactate, has hinted towards multi-organ failure and septicemia being the preliminary reasons behind her death.

Sources aware of the development said the initial post-mortem report has also pointed out the existence of toxic body fluid within her body. This particular point has raised the question of whether besides saline the victim was also administered with oxytocin to keep the impact of the toxic body fluid under control.

Already two parallel probes are being conducted in the matter, the first by a committee formed by the state health department and the second by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police.

Last week five women had fallen sick at the said state-run medical college and hospital in West Midnapore district allegedly after being administered with expired Ringer’s lactate. One of the women died in the hospital. The other four women were then kept under treatment at the critical care unit and intensive care units of the same hospital.

Three of them had to be shifted to state-run S.S.K.M Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata following sharp deteriorations in their medical conditions.

The incident raised serious concerns, especially as the expired RL saline allegedly came from Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, a company earlier banned by the Karnataka government and later by the West Bengal government.

Following this, the state health department directed the medical superintendents-cum-vice principals of all medical colleges and hospitals and all the chief medical officers of the districts “to ensure total stoppage of the existing stock of Compound Sodium Lactate Injection (RL) supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd in his/her jurisdiction.

Later, the state government also directed the removal of stocks of all medicines supplied by the said company from all healthcare entities in the state.

This incident has revived concerns over similar cases in the state’s healthcare system.

Notably, in a recent case of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, its former principal, Sandip Ghosh, was accused of encouraging the use of expired and ineffective drugs on patients for personal financial gains.

Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Jan 14: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the repeated sexual assault of a teenage girl in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, has arrested 44 people so far, its chief Ajitha Begum said on Tuesday.

“There are two accused who are now abroad and another 13 more who have to be arrested. The investigation is going in a fast-paced manner and all will be arrested at the earliest,” the SIT chief said.

On Tuesday, the victim’s statement was recorded before a magistrate near here.

The SIT has started proceedings for issuance of a red corner notice to ensure the two accused who are abroad are brought back here.

So far 31 cases have been registered across five police stations. The victim, reportedly assaulted by 59 people, has disclosed shocking details that have led to significant progress in the investigation.

The long list of the accused was traced by the SIT by analysing the victim’s diary and her father’s mobile phone, which she had been using.

The arrested individuals include three minors and four students preparing for their Class 12 final examinations next month. Most of the arrested are aged between 17 and 28.

According to the victim’s statement, she was exploited at various locations, including secluded rubber plantations, vehicles, and other spots within the district.

The assaults reportedly began when she was 13 years old and were perpetrated by acquaintances, coaches, senior sportsmen, and others, exploiting her role as a sportswoman. She was taken to various locations in vehicles and subjected to abuse.

The case came to light during a counselling session organized by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after her teachers reported behavioural changes in her. During the session, she disclosed the extent of her abuse. The CWC then referred the case to the Pathanamthitta district police chief. FIRs have been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The case has drawn widespread attention, reminiscent of other high-profile sexual assault cases in Kerala, including the Suryanelli, Vithura, and Kozhikode incidents.

Pathanamthitta, Jan 11:The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the repeated sexual assault of a teenage girl in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district has registered 29 cases across five police stations in the state and arrested 43 individuals in connection with the case so far.

The victim, reportedly assaulted by around 62 people, has disclosed shocking details that have led to significant progress in the investigation. On Sunday alone, 13 new cases were registered, and six more arrests were made as the SIT analyzed the victim’s diary and her father’s mobile phone, which she had been using.

The arrested individuals include three minors and four students preparing for their Class 12 final examinations next month. The SIT has also identified several accused currently residing abroad. Most of the arrested are aged between 17 and 28.

According to the victim’s statement, she was exploited at various locations, including secluded rubber plantations, vehicles, and other spots within the district. The assaults reportedly began when she was 13 years old and were perpetrated by acquaintances, coaches, senior sportsmen, and others, exploiting her role as a sportswoman. She was taken to various locations in vehicles and subjected to abuse.

The case came to light during a counseling session organized by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after her teachers reported behavioural changes in her. During the session, she disclosed the extent of her abuse. The CWC then referred the case to the Pathanamthitta district police chief.

In her initial statement, the victim, who is now 18 years old, provided names of 40 suspects, whose contact details were saved on her father’s mobile phone. FIRs have been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The case has drawn widespread attention, reminiscent of other high-profile sexual assault cases in Kerala, including the Suryanelli, Vithura, and Kozhikode incidents.