Findings of BMC’s preliminary inquiry against Dr Dere expected in next couple of days, departmental probe to also be initiated
Dr Rajesh Dere, the accused; (right) Rubeda Sheikh, who was run over by the doctor
JJ Hospital’s forensic department’s attempt to ascertain whether the 60-year-old woman, who died after being run over by Dr Rajesh Dere at Sion hospital, was intoxicated, poisoned or under any substance’s influence at the time of the incident will prolong the final cause of death report by six months to a year.
The post-mortem report of Rubeda Sheikh indicates evidence of bilateral hemothorax, suggesting death due to trauma. However, JJ’s forensic doctors have reserved their final opinion pending “histopathological and chemical analyses”.
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Dr S H Anande, assistant professor at JJ hospital, who was part of the team that conducted the post-mortem, said, “Chemical analysis is not mandatory but conducted to detect signs of intoxication or poison, especially in injury cases, as per our department’s protocol. The lab reports will arrive depending on police follow-ups.”
A top police official handling the case said, “In controversial cases, forensic teams opt for all the available tests, including chemical analysis, before submitting the final report to us. Doctors do this to be on the safe side. Such lab reports take one to two years as there is a large pendency, but we’ve requested them in writing to expedite the process.”
Medical tests on Dr Dere, conducted 24 hours after the incident to determine alcohol influence, are unlikely to yield conclusive results as only large quantities of alcohol—enough to put a person in a comatose condition—can be found after 24 hours.
Police have alleged that Dr Dere misled the officials initially resulting in delays. Dr Dere, former head of Sion hospital’s forensic department, and the hospital’s dean, Dr Mohan Joshi, were insisting the death was due to a heart attack.
A forensic department doctor from a BMC-run hospital said, “Chemical analysis is not mandatory and it is a subjective procedure unrelated to the cause of death. It is strange but it may be a routine procedure there. Histopathology is taking tissues from the organs to find out natural diseases the person had. This can conclude in a month but can be expedited to 15 days.”
Dr Dere, currently out on bail, was transferred to Nair hospital on May 28 and reported on duty the next day. He then took a leave of seven days and expected to resume duty soon. Part of his job will include teaching forensic science to resident doctors. Dr Gaurav Naik, head of BMC’s Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, said, “We are investigating the matter vigilantly.”
The BMC has initiated a preliminary inquiry against Dr Dere, with a report expected in the next couple of days. Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani earlier told mid-day a departmental inquiry into Dr Dere’s conduct will be initiated next which will look into his initial heart attack claim. “We were not told what this test is for. My mother was an old woman, how can she be under any intoxicant,” said Shahnawaz Sheikh, Rubeda’s son.
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