Tripura Rights Panel Orders Probe Into Hospital Death

Agartala: The Tripura Human Rights Commission ordered an independent probe into the death of 33-year-old Bibha Debnath. The commission head, Justice Arindam Lodh, launched the investigation after media reports suggested medical negligence at Agartala Government IGM Hospital. The hospital records raised too many questions.

Debnath arrived at the hospital on May 28 suffering from abdominal pain and urinary blockage. Doctors suggested an emergency caesarean section. The records claim she and her husband refused the operation due to risks. She died at 6 am on May 29 after losing consciousness. Doctors failed to save her.

The commission rejected an earlier report from the Director of Health Services. Officials relied only on explanations from the hospital staff rather than an actual independent review. The commission noted the report failed to justify why staff did not move the patient to a better facility once her condition plummeted. The commission stated: "The records submitted before it leave key questions unanswered regarding her treatment and the decision not to refer her to a higher medical facility."

Investigators must now dig into the case. The commission set the next hearing for August 12, 2026.