Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 7: Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma has approved the withdrawal of criminal cases registered against 51 persons in connection with the Vimladevi case, following a representation submitted by four-term Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray seeking relief for those affected.
Informing the media about the development, Ray said he had taken up the matter with the Lieutenant Governor after representations were received concerning the cases registered against members of the fishermen community.
The Vimladevi case relates to the death of 22-year-old Vimala, a resident of the Junglighat Fishermen Colony, at G.B. Pant Hospital in July 2024. According to a contemporaneous local report, Vimala had gone to the hospital with fever and was reportedly kept in the casualty/emergency area after she was not admitted due to a lack of vacant beds. Her condition subsequently deteriorated and she died shortly after receiving an injection. Her family and members of the fishermen community had raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding her death and demanded a high-level medical inquiry.
The incident subsequently became a matter of concern within the fishermen community, with the criminal cases arising in connection with the episode involving 51 persons.
Ray said his representation sought consideration of the grievances of the affected persons and their families and requested withdrawal of the criminal cases.
Following the representation, the Lieutenant Governor considered the matter and approved the withdrawal of the cases against the 51 persons, according to the information shared by the MP.
Ray expressed gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for considering the representation and approving the request. He said the decision would provide relief to the affected persons and their families.
He also expressed hope that the necessary legal and administrative process for withdrawal of the cases would be completed in accordance with the applicable procedure.
The MP said he would continue to take up issues concerning the grievances and welfare of islanders with the administration.
The approval comes more than two years after the death of Vimala, an incident that had triggered demands from her family and members of the fishermen community for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death.
