Hyderabad: Dr. Daravath Preethi, a first-year MD (Anaesthesia) student who attempted suicide following the ‘physical and mental torture’ inflicted by Dr. Mohammad Saif and was battling for her life in Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, has been declared dead. According to doctors treating her, Preethi breathed last night.
An inconsolable father of the victim said Dr. Saif was responsible for her death. On Friday, the Matwada police arrested Saif, a second-year post-graduate medical student of the Kakatiya Medical College (KMC) in connection with the case. He allegedly harassed Preethi while they were on duty at MGM hospital in Warangal on Wednesday.
The Police will now include murder chases on Dr. Saif. Earlier, cops had cited ragging-related laws and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in addition to charges of abetment to suicide against the accused. The cops are still awaiting the toxicological examination findings for definitive proof.
Commissioner A V Ranganath confirmed that the accused had persistently been harassed mentally and physically. In her phone call to her father, the victim had clearly told him how her tormentor was targeting her despite her pleadings. Saif was acting like a maniac, said one of the relatives. In the wake of the issue triggering public outrage, Health Minister, T Harish Rao on Friday night visited NIMS to enquire about the health of Dr. Preethi and also meet the family members of the PG medical student.
The Minister also interacted with senior health officials in the hospital and directed them to ensure the best possible healthcare facilities are available to ensure Dr. Preethi makes a quick recovery.