KEM gynaecologist attempts suicide DNA

Poornima Swaminathan Thursday, May 17, 2007 08:59 IST
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Police suspect harassment by seniors; victim says she was severely depressed
A 25-year-old gynaecologist with the KEM Hospital attempted suicide by consuming 20 sleeping pills in her RMO quarters on Tuesday evening.
The reason behind Yogini Kaje's desperate act has not been ascertained, but police are exploring all angles, including ragging and harassment by some seniors. Incidentally, a schizophrenic patient had jumped to his death from the second floor of the hospital on Tuesday.
Ironically, the incident came to light on a day Supreme Court adopted a tough posture on the issue of ragging, asking educational institutions to file FIRs against those who indulged in ragging.
An unconscious Yogini, who had been working with the hospital for the past one year, was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) where her condition was stated to be stable. Police say that Yogini told them later that she was severely depressed and in one of her bouts, consumed 20 sleeping pills.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Manoj Lohia (Zone III) said "Such heavy was the dosage of pills that she is still drowsy. We are waiting for her to recover before recording her statement."
A police officer, who did not wish to be named, said the motive behind the attempted suicide was being probed. "The investigations are in a preliminary stage. We are investigating all angles, including the possibility of ragging and harassment by seniors. The motive will be clear after she recovers," he said.

The matter came to light when Yogini's roommates failed to elicit any response after knocking repeatedly at the door. When the door was finally broken, Yogini was found lying unconscious.
Her parents who live in Nashik, rushed to the hospital on Wednesday and were shocked with the incident. While the father is a busy practicing doctor, her brother Yogesh is a doctor in Pune.
“She never told us she had problems. She always sounded cheerful on the phone. We only hope she recovers from this trauma fast,” said Yogesh (22). Shocked relatives could not believe that Kaje attempted to end life. "She was academically sound and always sounded cheerful. It's a shock to us," said another relative.
Meanwhile, authorities at KEM hospital have set up a high-level inquiry by a panel comprising senior doctors and professors to probe the matter. "We will be able to comment only after we get a report. But it is unfortunate," said Nilima Kshirsagar, Dean, KEM Hospital.

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