KISS student murder: IMA questions violation of medical protocols

Controversies surrounding the death of a KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences) student intensified on Friday after serious questions were raised by the Secretary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA)-Odisha, Dr Pratyush Kumar Ray, over why a post-mortem examination was not conducted.

Also Read: KISS student murder: OSCPCR chairperson targets doctors over ‘wrong reports’

The incident has put the role of KIMS doctors under scrutiny, particularly regarding how the body was handed over to the family without an autopsy.

Earlier, the Police Commissioner had stated that the doctor who issued a report citing heart attack as the cause of death would be brought under the ambit of investigation. As part of the probe, police have already questioned seven doctors in connection with the case.

Adding to the debate, the Secretary of IMA stated that a post-mortem is mandatory in cases where a patient is brought ‘dead’. Medical rules also require an autopsy if there are injury marks on the body or if the death appears unnatural.

The IMA official emphasised that bypassing such established procedures amounts to a serious violation of medical norms. As pressure mounts, demand for a transparent and thorough investigation into the incident continues to grow, with accountability being sought from both institutional authorities and medical professionals involved.

“If someone has assaulted or caused any type of injury, all these are Medico-Legal Cases (MLCs). Conducting a post-mortem is mandatory in such cases. Whenever we expect that a death is unnatural, or we are unable to properly explain a death based on the apparent symptoms, a post-mortem is barely necessary,” Dr Pratyush Ray said to OTV.

Earlier in the day, the Chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), Babita Patra, expressed that doctors at KIMS must be brought under the purview of investigation.