Kota hospital ECG technician dies by suicide, note names superintendent
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
An ECG technician at JK Lon Hospital in Kota, Rajasthan, allegedly died by suicide on Friday, 13 November, after reportedly being subjected to relentless duty assignments and mental harassment by hospital officials. The deceased, Satish Kumar Chandsi, left behind a suicide note naming three hospital officials — including the hospital superintendent — and accusing them of threatening his career when he raised objections to an exhausting duty roster.
How the Incident Came to Light
According to family members, Satish's wife, Pooja, was at her maternal home when she failed to reach him by phone on Friday morning. She contacted her elder sister, who lived nearby, and asked her to check on him. The sister arrived to find the gate open and discovered Satish hanging inside the residence.
Family members brought him down and rushed him to MBS Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Relatives subsequently carried his body to JK Lon Hospital and demanded action against those named in the note.
What the Suicide Note Alleged
In the note, Satish identified himself as an ECG technician at JK Lon Hospital and accused Nursing Superintendent Mohan Lal Bairwa, Nursing Superintendent Naveen Sharma, and Hospital Superintendent Nirmala Sharma of persistent mental harassment. He alleged he had been compelled to work for 13 consecutive days and was told to continue working without complaint.
Satish further wrote that when he approached the hospital superintendent with his grievance, she allegedly told him to quit if he did not wish to work. He sought strict action against all three officials and also apologised to his wife, Pooja, in the note.
Family Describes Mounting Pressure
According to his brother-in-law, Suraj, Satish had been under considerable mental stress because of an increasingly demanding duty schedule. With other employees on leave, he had reportedly been assigned continuous night shifts. His requests to the hospital to arrange an alternative employee were allegedly ignored, and when he objected, he was reportedly told to leave the job.
Hospital Officials Deny Wrongdoing
Nursing Superintendent Mohan Lal Bairwa acknowledged a staff shortage at the hospital but denied speaking to Satish inappropriately. He said two employees from the labour room had been deputed to the ECG department and that Satish had been asked to adjust his duties given the shortage. Bairwa added that employees generally coordinate among themselves on scheduling, with the administration responsible only for ensuring staff availability.
Hospital Superintendent Nirmala Sharma denied any knowledge of the matter. “I have no information regarding ECG technician Satish, and he never approached me about this matter,” she said.
What Happens Next
The suicide note forms the basis of the family’s demand for action against the three named officials. It remains to be seen whether police register a case under relevant sections and whether the state health department initiates an independent inquiry into working conditions at JK Lon Hospital. This incident has renewed scrutiny of staff welfare and duty-hour norms in Rajasthan’s government hospitals.