The indefinite hunger strike by Ramshiromani Mishra, father of Rewa woman Kalpana Mishra who died along with her newborn at Gandhi Memorial Hospital, entered its fifth day on Sunday. The family continues to demand an FIR against those they hold responsible and a fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Mishra is sitting on a protest at Sirmour Chauraha in Rewa. Supporters of the family have appealed to people across the district to reach the protest site and extend support to the campaign seeking justice for Kalpana and her child.

The case has already led to departmental action against four healthcare workers, the removal of the hospital superintendent and multiple inquiries. However, the family says these measures are insufficient and is insisting on criminal proceedings.

Father refuses to end hunger strike

Ramshiromani Mishra has maintained that suspension alone cannot provide justice to his daughter and newborn grandson. His primary demand is that an FIR be registered against those found responsible, followed by an impartial investigation and legal action.

The continuing protest has also attracted support from political and social organisations.

Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla has previously met the family and assured them that the matter would be investigated and action taken if wrongdoing is established.

Despite that assurance and the administrative measures already taken, Kalpana’s father has continued his hunger strike.

Four healthcare workers suspended

Following the deaths, authorities took preliminary disciplinary action against two nursing officers and two doctorsassociated with the case.

The suspended doctors include Dr Sonal Agrawal, who was on duty in the obstetrics and gynaecology department, and Dr Nidhi Pandey from anaesthesia. The two nursing officers were also suspended following the initial allegations and inquiry.

The state government has said further action will depend on the findings of the investigation. (Web India News)

Importantly, the suspensions are administrative action and do not by themselves establish criminal liability.

Hospital superintendent removed

Another significant development was the removal of Dr Rahul Mishra from the post of superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

The action followed controversy over a video of his interaction with Kalpana’s family after her death. The government subsequently transferred the hospital’s superintendence to Dr Priyank Sharma. 

Dr Rahul Mishra had denied allegations of medical negligence and maintained that Kalpana had been treated according to medical protocols. The circumstances surrounding her death remain subject to investigation. 

Inquiry examining treatment and circumstances

The government has constituted an inquiry into the deaths to determine what happened from Kalpana’s admission through her treatment and delivery.

A five-member committee was earlier constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the death. Separately, the Rewa administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry, with the Sirmour SDM assigned to examine the case and submit findings. 

The investigation is expected to examine whether prescribed medical protocols were followed and whether any lapse contributed to the deaths.

The family also sought post-mortem examinations. The available reports indicate that the exact cause of death has not yet been conclusively established.

Video intensified public anger

The controversy escalated after a video surfaced showing Kalpana in distress shortly before her death, pleading with her family and expressing fear about continuing treatment.

The footage triggered widespread concern and protests, with the family alleging serious lapses in treatment. Hospital authorities, however, have maintained that the allegations must be examined through the inquiry process. 

The video has become an important part of the public debate, but it does not by itself establish the medical cause of death or criminal responsibility.

FIR demand remains central to protest

With the hunger strike entering its fifth day, the family’s demand has shifted the focus from departmental action to criminal accountability.

The government has already taken several administrative measures, including suspensions, a change in hospital leadership and inquiries. The next major development will depend on the findings of those investigations.

Until those findings are available, allegations of negligence should remain attributed to the family and protesters rather than presented as an established fact. The family, meanwhile, has appealed for greater public participation at the Sirmour Chauraha protest as it continues its demand for an FIR and legal action.

Congress workers protesting the death of Kalpana Mishra and her newborn child at Rewa’s Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital on Sunday reached the residence of Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla and demanded registration of an FIR against those they hold responsible for the deaths.

The demonstration escalated briefly when some protesters entered the premises of Shukla’s residence. Police intervened and removed the workers from the bungalow, leading to a heated exchange between the protesters and police.

The Congress workers were seeking criminal action over alleged medical negligence in the treatment of Kalpana Mishra. The family has maintained that departmental suspensions and administrative action are not enough and has been demanding an FIR and an impartial investigation.

Protesters demand criminal case

The protesters alleged that the treatment and healthcare arrangements at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital require scrutiny and demanded that those found responsible for lapses in Kalpana’s treatment be booked.

The demonstration comes amid continuing protests by Kalpana’s family. Her father, Ramshiromani Mishra, has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Sirmour Chauraha in Rewa, with Sunday marking the fifth day of his protest, according to reports.

The family’s demand for criminal action is separate from the ongoing administrative investigation, which is yet to establish whether negligence or any other wrongdoing occurred.

Kalpana and newborn died after delivery

Kalpana Mishra, 25, from Hatwa village in the Baikunthpur area of Rewa, was admitted to the government hospital for delivery in August. She underwent a Caesarean section on August 26, after which both she and her newborn died.

A video that surfaced before her death showed a woman identified as Kalpana leaving the ward and seeking help. The footage has become a major point of concern for her family and protesters. However, the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether the treatment amounted to medical negligence remain subject to investigation. 

Doctors, nurses already suspended

Authorities have already taken departmental action in the case. Two doctors and two nursing officers involved in the treatment were suspended following the deaths, and a committee was constituted to examine the matter.

The state government subsequently removed Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital superintendent Dr Rahul Mishra from the post and assigned the responsibility to Dr Priyank Sharma. The superintendent’s removal came amid controversy surrounding his conduct with the deceased woman’s family, which had triggered criticism. 

The government has maintained that responsibility will be fixed if the investigation establishes negligence or other wrongdoing.

Magisterial inquiry ordered

A major development in the case came on September 4, when a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the deaths.

According to reports, Rewa district authorities assigned the inquiry to Sirmour SDM Drishti Jaiswal, with instructions to submit a factual report within 30 days. The inquiry is examining the sequence from the patient’s admission and treatment through delivery and the circumstances surrounding the deaths. 

The investigation is expected to examine whether prescribed medical protocols were followed and what role was played by the doctors, nursing staff and hospital administration.

Deputy CM had met the family

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, who also holds the health portfolio, had met members of Kalpana’s family amid the protests and assured them of an impartial inquiry.

The family, however, has continued to press for criminal proceedings, arguing that suspension and administrative action alone cannot deliver justice.

The Congress has also criticised the state government over the matter and questioned the functioning of the government hospital.

CBI probe demand raised in Bhopal

The controversy has also moved beyond Rewa. A group identifying itself as the Vindhya Nagarik Adhikar Manch held a symbolic protest at the Gandhi statue in Bhopal on Sunday and demanded a CBI investigation into the deaths.

With the magisterial inquiry now underway, the immediate focus is on establishing what happened during Kalpana’s treatment, whether any protocol was breached and whether responsibility can be fixed on specific individuals.

For now, the FIR sought by Congress workers and the family remains a demand. The official inquiry will determine whether the allegations of medical negligence are substantiated and what further action may follow.