SC upholds Kerala HC order rejecting discharge plea of Dr Vandana Das murder accused

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the discharge petition of Sandeep, the accused in the Dr Vandana Das murder case. Upholding the order of the High Court rejecting the discharge petition of Sandeep, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and George Masih, stated that they cannot interfere in it.

Sandeep's lawyers argued that Dr Vandana's life could have been saved if she had been taken for treatment to a better hospital. However, Justice Oka noted that such arguments could not be accepted and ruled that the discharge request could not be entertained.

The Supreme Court, however, issued a notice on Sandeep's bail application. 

Advocates B A Aloor and Aswathy M K appeared for Sandeep in this case.

Dr Vandana Das fell victim at the hands of the accused at the Emergency Department of the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital. The accused, who was brought to the hospital for a medical examination, allegedly took the life of the young doctor while those that were supposed to stand guard fled for their own safety. 

The incident, which took place on May 10, 2023, was one that shook the conscience of the whole State. Sandeep was brought to the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital by the Pooyappally Police at around 4 am. He turned violent while a wound on his leg was being treated. He attacked the policemen who accompanied him and the hospital staff. Five people, including the policemen, were injured. While hospital staff sought shelter in the rooms nearby, the injured policemen ran out to close the gates. Dr Vandana Das incidentally ended up in front of Sandeep. 

He pushed Vandana to the floor and violently stabbed her multiple times using surgical forceps. Dr Sajil, a house surgeon who came running after hearing Vandana’s scream pushed Sandeep off her and ran out carrying Vandana on his shoulders. Sandeep ran after him and stabbed him in the back. Vandana was taken to a private hospital in Kottarakara and later to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, but could not be saved. Vandana’s autopsy revealed 26 wounds on her body.