Two Clinics Sealed, Dr. Rupa Kheti Suspended in Connection with Pregnant Woman’s Death
April 25, Butwal – The investigation committee formed to probe the death of pregnant woman Geeta Pandey has submitted a preliminary report to the Nepal Medical Council. The committee, led by Dr. Samrat Parajuli, submitted the initial findings. Until the final report is received, the committee has recommended sealing the Butwal-based Zonal Pharmacy and Indulekha Health Clinic, both involved in Geeta Pandey’s abortion case. Additionally, it has advised suspending Dr. Satish Rupakheti from examining patients. The Council has already acted accordingly. Dr. Satish Kumar Dev, Registrar of the Nepal Medical Council, stated that the preliminary report was prepared over three days and that a detailed account will be available after the final report is completed.
Though the Medical Council recommended action, the preliminary report does not mention Dr. DB Khatri, operator of Khatri Nursing Home. Geeta’s husband, Prakash Pandey, has filed a formal police complaint against Dr. Khatri. On April 19, Geeta lost her life while being referred between three health institutions — a nursing home and two clinics — for an abortion. She and her husband had visited Khatri Nursing Home on April 18 after being informed on April 17, during a consultation on March 12, that her 13-week pregnancy was unhealthy. However, rather than providing treatment, the well-known Khatri Nursing Home referred Geeta to Zonal Pharmacy, accompanied by a location map to Butwal Hospital Line’s Zonal Pharmacy Clinic.
Zonal Pharmacy charged an abortion fee of 16,000 rupees, took a 2,000 rupee advance, and supplied two types of medication before sending her further to Indulekha Clinic. It was during the abortion procedure at Indulekha Clinic that Geeta passed away. Dr. Satish Rupakheti had examined her at Indulekha. Prakash Pandey accused these health institutions of prioritizing profit over patient care, holding Drs. DB Khatri and Satish Rupakheti primarily responsible for his wife’s death and demanding their arrest and legal action.
Besides these two doctors, Prakash Pandey has also filed complaints at Butwal District Police Office seeking action against Sandhya Basnet (operator of Zonal Pharmacy/Clinic), Nilam Ghartimagar (Zonal Pharmacy), and Khagendra Prasad Pandey (operator of Indulekha Health Clinic). Following the complaint, police arrested all five individuals for further investigation. Among the detained, Drs. Khatri and Rupakheti have since been released on bail. Earlier, relatives of the deceased had staged a blockade at Khatri Nursing Home, Zonal Pharmacy, and Indulekha Clinic. Geeta was an employee at the Blood Transfusion Service Center in Bhairahawa, while her husband Prakash is a senior government officer.