Six maternal deaths at Ballari Hospital spark outrage in Karnataka; Lokayukta initiates probe
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Lokayukta has launched a suo motu investigation into six maternal deaths at the Ballari Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) Hospital, allegedly caused by substandard intravenous (IV) fluids. Justice B.S. Patil, the Lokayukta, has directed the registration of a case under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, targeting senior officials from the Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education departments, the Karnataka Medical Supplies Corporation, and BIMS.
Police have been instructed to inspect the hospital and its drug store, with a detailed report to be submitted. District health officers and deputy commissioners across Karnataka have been asked to provide updates on measures to prevent similar incidents and to report on compensation for victims’ families and the accountability of officials involved.
The tragedy has drawn widespread criticism of the Congress-led Karnataka government. The latest victim, Sumaya (25), succumbed to multiple organ failure on December 5 at the Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS). Five other new mothers—Rojamma, Nandini, Muskaan, Mahalaxmi, and Lalitamma—died after undergoing caesarean surgeries at the hospital in November.
Preliminary investigations attribute the deaths to complications arising from the use of substandard IV fluids. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao termed the deaths “unacceptable” and assured swift corrective measures. "If a healthy woman dies due to negligence or faulty medicines, it is unacceptable. The public must not tolerate such failures and should protest," he stated while announcing compensation for the victims’ families.
The IV fluids, supplied by a West Bengal-based pharmaceutical company, were flagged as "Not of Standard Quality" (NSQ) by the Karnataka State Drug Testing Laboratory in March 2023. However, the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) in Kolkata later cleared them, raising questions about regulatory discrepancies. The Karnataka government has urged the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to address these contradictions and take legal action against the manufacturer.
In response, the Karnataka Drug Controller has been suspended, legal proceedings against the pharmaceutical company have been initiated, and the use of its products has been halted. Inspections of the company’s manufacturing facilities are underway to determine any lapses.
Meanwhile, the opposition BJP has demanded a judicial probe and accused the Congress government of gross negligence and collusion. "This tragedy reflects a catastrophic failure of the Congress-led government in Karnataka. The gross negligence is coupled with active collusion to hide the truth," the BJP alleged.
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Defamatory post against Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade: Case registered against Girish Mattannavar
Belthangady: A case has been registered at Dharmasthala police station against Girish Mattannavar over a complaint regarding alleged defamatory posts on social media against Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.
The complaint was filed by Subrahmanya Prasad, a resident of Dharmasthala.
The complainant stated that Mattannavar posted content on Instagram making allegations against Dr. Heggade and allegedly affecting his reputation.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which is related to spreading false information, rumours, or alarming news, on April 18, and the investigation is in progress.
Following information about Mattannavar’s appearance at the SIT office on May 7, a police officer from Dharmasthala police station issued a notice directing him to appear at the station within a week.
