KOCHI: In a major twist in the case related to the death of ayurveda doctor P A Baiju who died after a prolonged battle against medicine-induced paralyses, the police have decided to impose murder charge against the accused.
Dr Baiju, 46, son of Ayyappan of Pandiriyil Payipra, Muvattupuzha, got paralysed nine years ago after he consumed a medicine in order to prove its harmlessness.
A former medical officer of the Bison Valley Government Ayurvedic Dispensary, Dr Baiju died due to the effect of the poison present in the 'kashayam' he had originally prescribed for a woman patient named Shantha. The investigation revealed that the kashayam was poisoned with pesticides containing organophosphorus by Shantha's husband Rajappan.
Rajakkad SI G Vishnu, who is leading the investigation, said, "on Tuesday, we filed a report before the Muvattupuzha Special NDPS Court, where the trial in the case is progressing, to have the Section-302 (Murder) added to the chargesheet. Further action in the case will be taken based on the court's directive."
Earlier, a chargesheet was filed against accused Rajappan, of Irunnoorekkar near Adimaly, under Section-307 (Murder Attempt) and 308 (Attempt to Commit Culpable Homicide) of the IPC. The accused, who was remanded initially, later obtained bail.
According to Dr Baiju's relatives, he had treated Shantha for some orthopaedic ailment for a couple of weeks. After the treatment failed to cure Shantha's disease, on January 24, 2007, Dr Baiju prescribed 'Rasna Panchakam' for her. On the next day, Shantha fainted after consuming the medicine in a diluted form.
Later, on being asked by Dr Baiju, Shantha's helper brought the medicine to his dispensary.
To convince others about the drug's harmlessness, Dr Baiju consumed two spoonfuls of the drug. As soon as he consumed the medicine, the doctor suffered severe stomach pain and collapsed.
He was taken to the Adimali Taluk Hospital and then to a private hospital at Kothamangalam, where he became unconscious.
The tragic incident occurred merely nine months after Dr Baiju joined the Government-run hospital. According to the medical report, Dr Baiju suffered 'hypoxic encephalopathy' following organophosphorus poisoning.