At a time when incidents of police and political leaders sabotaging murder cases for petty interests are on the rise, here is a police surgeon who seems to be an exception. Dr P V Guha Raj, one of the first police surgeons in the state, is now leading a retired life at his residence near the Kozhikode Medical College after a long fight against the injustice meted out towards the victims of police crimes and murders.
During his 25-year stint as a police surgeon, he has not compromised with anyone on anything and has not fallen prey to the pressure from police and political parties.
“A police surgeon’s duty is to bring the truth to light. Justice lies in his hands. If he compromises, wrong-doers will be saved and justice will be denied to the victims. I have never fallen prey to the pressure from police and political leaders. I ask my students also not to compromise on anything,” says Dr Guha Raj.
Though he appears a bit tired, his memories are still alive. When it comes to the controversial cases, he has several memories to unfold.
“I cannot forget those days when policemen pelted stones at my house and I was confronted with huge pressure from all corners during the trial period of the controversial Rajan murder case,” he recalls.
Guha Raj’s house was attacked following his statement that police torture was the cause of his death.
“While other surgeons had said that a man could never be rolled to death, I was firm on my statement. I couldn’t do injustice to the innocent youngster, who was rolled to death by the police,” he says.
Daring to fight against the political leaders and the police, Guha Raj appeared before the Kerala High Court and Coimbatore court to ensure justice to the victim.
The Department of Forensic Sciences at the Kozhikode Medical College owes much to the former head as he was the person who started it and developed it into a full-fledged manner.
The pioneer has authored a book titled ‘Forensic,’ a major reference book for police surgeons and barristers in the state. The book includes theories about the various types of injuries and local weapons. Guha Raj looks back at his life with a sense of satisfaction as he was able to earn the respect of the common man and the judiciary.
After retiring from the medical college, he went to Nigeria, where he worked for the Governor of Gongola state for three months. He bid adieu to the world of medicines in 2000 after discharging his duty as a general medical practitioner in various private hospitals.
He is glad that his children and grandchildren are keeping his tradition alive. Now, the number of doctors in his family is about to touch 10.
Dr Aysha Guha Raj, former principal of Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha Medical Colleges and Director of Medical Education, is his wife.