A sessions court in Kerala has found a schoolteacher, G Sandeep guilty of murdering Dr. Vandana Das on duty, concluding that he was mentally fit at the time of the crime.
The incident took place on 10 May 2023 at a taluk hospital in Kottarakkara, Kollam district around 4.30 am. A 22-year-old doctor was attacked while examining the accused, who had been brought to the hospital by police for medical examination.
On 17 March 2026, the court convicted the accused guilty under multiple charges, including murder.
The verdict is scheduled for March 19th, Thursday.
According to the prosecution, the accused suddenly became violent during the medical examination. He used surgical scissors available in the hospital to attack staff. The doctor sustained fatal injuries, while others present at the scene were also injured.
The attack occurred within the hospital premises, raising concerns about the safety of healthcare workers during routine clinical duties.
The Kerala Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanded naming of the proposed Hospital Protection Act after Vandana Das - the young doctor who was murdered by a drug addict, while on duty.
During the trial, the defence argued that the accused was suffering from schizophrenia and therefore should not be held criminally responsible. The argument was based on Section 84 of the Indian Penal Code, which provides legal protection to individuals of unsound mind.
The defence maintained that the accused was unable to understand his actions at the time of the incident.
The prosecution challenged this claim using medical and behavioral evidence. A psychiatric evaluation was conducted by a medical board to assess the accused’s mental condition.
The board concluded that the accused did not meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. The prosecution also stated that the accused had attempted to present symptoms after referring to psychiatric material while in custody.
After reviewing the evidence, the court ruled that the accused was aware of his actions during the incident. It rejected the plea of unsound mind and held him accountable for the crime.
The conviction was based on witness testimonies, medical reports, and expert psychiatric opinion.
As reported in The Deccan Herald, Public Prosecuter Prathap G Padikkal said,
Sandeep, who is an educated person, tried to hatch a brilliant plot to escape from the case by learning the behavior of persons with Schizophrenia from psychiatry books in the prison library. But the police and prosecution could foil it with the help of a medical board comprising expert psychiatrists. The doctors interviewed him in detail during the investigation. During the trial stage the accused tried to establish that he was insane. But it could be proved beyond doubt that the accused was not insane.
Prathap G Padikkal, Public Prosecuter
The case highlights how courts examine claims of mental illness in criminal trials. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient; the court assesses whether the accused could understand the nature and consequences of the act at the time it occurred.
The incident also brought attention to violence against healthcare workers, particularly in emergency settings where risk factors may be higher.
With the conviction established, the next stage will involve sentencing as per legal provisions. The verdict will be announced by the court on Thursday. The case continues to be closely followed due to its implications for both criminal law and healthcare worker safety.
(Rh/SS)
