Mumbai: ‘Mother trusted BMC hospital so much, she refused treatment anywhere else’

The Sheikhs at their residence

Rubeda Khatun Gulab Sheikh, 60, who died after being run over by Dr Rajesh Dere's car within the Sion hospital premises, had travelled from Mumbra to seek treatment because she trusted the doctors there. "We had first sought treatment at a private clinic in Mumbra. The doctor there had suggested Sion hospital, and ever since, my mother had been refusing treatment anywhere else but at Sion hospital," said her daughter Musarar Sheikh. The family has a history of treatment at BMC-run facilities. Musarar herself was hospitalised at Nair hospital for another ailment. She was discharged on Saturday, the day the family found out Rubeda was no more.

Rubeda along with her husband

The patriarch of the family, Rubeda's husband, has a medical condition in which his hands do not work. He works as a security guard in residential area in south Mumbai. The couple has four children and three grandchildren. The family used to live in Bandra East, and it had been just two months since they moved into their new house in Mumbra, which Rubeda's oldest son had purchased. "I knew her for a very short time, but she was just so kind. I am a working woman, and I used to like talking to her now and then after coming back from work," said the family's immediate neighbour in Mumbra.

Police escort Dr Rajesh Dhere, after he was released on bail. Pic/Atul Kamble

The victim's 24-year-old son Sarfaraz said, "She had diabetes and there was some kind of infection on her hand, but nothing else. She was doing alright." The family was told she had fainted due to ill health within the hospital compound when, minutes later, Dr Dere's car ran over her. Earlier, Sion hospital's dean Dr Mohan Joshi had told mid-day that Rubeda had died of a heart attack. However, her post-mortem report shows "evidence of bilateral hemothorax," meaning there was blood in the pleural cavities on both sides of the chest. These cavities are spaces between the lungs and the chest. A heavy presence of blood there, which is commonly the result of trauma or injury, can result in death within minutes.

Dr Rajesh Dere, the accused

"I could feel that her chest bone had fractured while cleaning her body before she was taken for burial. We thought we had a lifetime left with our mother. She was supposed to see my children grow. My mother did not like closed spaces or heat; now she will be in a coffin," Musarar said. Rubeda's body rests at a cemetery in Bandra.

A top BMC official had earlier said the dean of the hospital was trying to sweep the issue under the carpet. "The hospital first told us our mother met with an accident. When we asked more questions, they told us the accident happened outside the hospital premises. They lied to us," said Rizwana, Musarar's friend, who had visited the hospital along with Rubeda's oldest son Shahnawaz.

Dr Rajesh Dere's, black harrier before running over the victim

The police have said that the hospital has not been forthcoming and Dr Dere even tried to suppress information. He has been charged with providing misleading statements to the police apart from Section 304 (causing death due to negligence). Sion police station's Senior PI Manisha Shirke said, "As of now there are no plans to take action against anybody else from the hospital."

Dr Dere back at work!

On Monday, after being granted bail by Dadar's Shindewadi court, Dr Dere was spotted back at work. The family fears they will be denied justice. "We do not want anything. That man is now out on bail and we think he will be let off easily because he has the money," Musarar said. BMC Bhushan Gagrani said, "The police are taking action, and the court has granted him bail." He added, "What is the role of the administration when it is already a police matter? I do not understand why the BMC is being dragged into this."

Regarding the suspension of hospital staff, Gagrani stated, "The investigation may take a year, two years, or more. So what exactly is expected? The law will take its own course. We are not saying no to any police or court action." Dean of Sion hospital Dr Mohan Joshi was unavailable for comment.