Sikkim probes death of woman, unborn twins at STNM Hospital
Synopsis
A Sikkim woman and her unborn twins died following treatment and referral from STNM Hospital in Gangtok. Her husband has alleged medical negligence. The state government has now formed a five-member expert panel — including senior doctors and officials — to investigate the sequence of events and report back within a week.
Key Takeaways
Sweta Karki from Gyalshing district and her unborn twins died following treatment and referral from STNM Hospital, Gangtok .
Her husband, Swarup Chettri , has alleged medical negligence and improper clinical management.
The Sikkim government has constituted a five-member enquiry committee to investigate the deaths.
The panel will examine adherence to obstetric and gynaecological protocols and identify any procedural lapses or negligence.
The committee includes Dr Pema Seden Lepcha , Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily , and Dr Anup Pradhan , among others.
The panel must submit its findings and recommendations within one week .
The Sikkim government has constituted a five-member enquiry committee to investigate the death of Sweta Karki, a woman from Gyalshing district, and her unborn twins following treatment and referral from STNM Hospital in Gangtok, officials said on Friday, 8 May. The panel has been directed to submit its findings within one week.
What Happened
Sweta Karki was admitted to STNM Hospital before being referred to another medical facility for advanced care. She subsequently died, along with her unborn twins. Her husband, Swarup Chettri, has alleged medical negligence and lapses in treatment, claiming that improper medical management led to the deaths of both his wife and their unborn children.
Scope of the Enquiry
According to officials, the committee has been tasked with examining the complete sequence of events — from the patient's admission to her referral to another facility. The panel will review the treatment and clinical management provided and determine whether the attending medical staff followed established obstetric and gynaecological protocols. It will also assess the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the unborn twins and the subsequent death of Sweta Karki after referral. The committee has been further directed to identify any procedural deficiencies, lapses in patient care, or negligence, if any, during the course of treatment.
Who Is on the Panel
The enquiry committee comprises senior officials and medical experts. Members include Dr Pema Seden Lepcha, Principal Director of Health Services; Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily, Additional Medical Superintendent of STNM Hospital; Dr Anup Pradhan, Head of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Central Referral Hospital; Pooja Lohar, Deputy Secretary of STNM Hospital; and Pratiksha Sharma, Under Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Government's Position
Officials said the state government is treating the matter seriously and has initiated the formal enquiry to ensure accountability and ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths. The incident has sparked public concern across the state, prompting the government to act swiftly. The panel's report and recommendations are to be submitted to the competent authority within one week of its constitution.
The outcome of the enquiry is expected to determine whether disciplinary or legal action will follow against any of the medical personnel involved in the case.
Point of View
And the credibility of the outcome will depend on whether the committee can operate independently of the hospital administration it is partly drawn from. Critically, two of the five panel members — including the Additional Medical Superintendent — are from STNM Hospital itself, raising legitimate questions about institutional bias. The case also surfaces a broader national concern: maternal mortality in referral chains, where accountability is diffused across facilities and no single provider owns the outcome.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sweta Karki and what happened to her?
Sweta Karki was a woman from Gyalshing district in Sikkim who died along with her unborn twins after receiving treatment at STNM Hospital in Gangtok and being referred to another facility for advanced care. Her husband has alleged that medical negligence and improper management caused the deaths.
Why has the Sikkim government formed an enquiry committee?
The Sikkim government formed the five-member committee in response to public concern and allegations of medical negligence raised by the deceased woman's husband. The panel is tasked with examining the full sequence of events, from hospital admission to referral, and identifying any lapses in care.
Who are the members of the enquiry committee?
The panel includes Dr Pema Seden Lepcha (Principal Director of Health Services), Dr Suresh Madan Rasaily (Additional Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital), Dr Anup Pradhan (Head of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Central Referral Hospital), Pooja Lohar (Deputy Secretary, STNM Hospital), and Pratiksha Sharma (Under Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department).
What will the enquiry committee investigate?
The committee will review the clinical management and treatment provided to Sweta Karki, assess whether established obstetric and gynaecological protocols were followed, examine the circumstances of the unborn twins' deaths, and identify any procedural deficiencies or negligence during the course of treatment.
When will the enquiry findings be submitted?
The Sikkim government has directed the five-member panel to submit its findings and recommendations to the competent authority within one week of its constitution.
