A magisterial enquiry has been assured by the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills into the death of an 11-year-old girl in Tura, in a case that has triggered serious questions over emergency healthcare access and institutional accountability in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district. The child, identified as Netera Sangma, allegedly died after being turned away from two medical facilities despite showing symptoms of suspected rabies, bringing the spotlight sharply on alleged lapses in critical care response and patient rights.
Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal’s assurance follows mounting public outrage and political intervention over the circumstances leading to the death. The Opposition TMC legislator from Dadenggre constituency Rupa M Marak raised the matter with the district administration, pressing for a detailed probe into the incident.
“The 11 year old girl belongs to my constituency Dadengrre and the reason for her death is stated that she was suspected to be infected with Rabies,” Marak said.
“I have already contacted the Deputy Commissioner West Garo Hills last evening and have instructed him to find out the actual cause of her death and he has assured me that he will be conducting Megisterial Enquiry to find out the fact about the real cause of death,” the Dadengrre legislator said.
The case has also drawn formal allegations of medical negligence, with a complaint submitted to the district administration invoking violation of the fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Earlier, Social activist Greneth M. Sangma, representing citizens of Garo Hills, detailed the sequence of events in a strongly worded letter to authorities.
“I am writing to bring to your immediate attention a shocking incident of medical negligence resulting in the tragic death of an 11-year-old child, Netera Sangma,” he stated. Referring to media reports and direct interaction with the victim’s family, he added, “I have carefully reviewed the reporting by the Meghalayan Express and, crucially, have spoken directly with the child’s father, who provided a firsthand account confirming that they were callously turned away by both Tura Civil Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital.”
According to the complaint, the child, “suffering from a suspected case of rabies, was referred from Dadenggre CHC to Tura Civil Hospital with the expectation of receiving care, only to be refused.” It further stated that when the family sought help at another facility, “they were met with further refusal,” and alleged that “this series of events led to the child passing away in an ambulance while returning home, effectively denied the right to medical care and the dignity of a peaceful end.”
Terming the episode a grave breach of legal and ethical obligations, Sangma asserted, “The actions of these institutions constitute a grave failure of medical duty and a direct violation of the fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.” Citing established legal precedent, he noted, “It is a well-settled principle of law, established by the Supreme Court of India in the landmark case (Parmanand Katara vs. Union of India), that no hospital private or government can refuse emergency medical aid.” He further underlined, “The excuse of ‘no beds’ or ‘lack of isolation facilities’ does not absolve a hospital of its legal responsibility to provide stabilization to a critical patient.”
The complaint has demanded “an immediate, time-bound judicial or magisterial inquiry to determine why both Tura Civil Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital denied admission to a critically ill child,” along with “stern administrative action… against the staff and hospital administrators on duty who failed to uphold the law and their medical oath,” and “appropriate ex-gratia compensation for the grieving parents.” It also called for “A comprehensive audit of all emergency and isolation infrastructure in Tura’s medical facilities to ensure that no other family in the future is forced to watch their loved one die due to administrative negligence.”
“As a social activist on behalf of the citizens of Garo Hills, I strongly object to the disrespect shown towards patients, and I request that your authority looks into this matter and takes stern action for the violation of human rights law,” Sangma added.
