Dr Vandana Das murder case: Verdict on 17th of this month, final arguments completed

KOLLAM: The verdict in the high-profile Dr. Vandana Das murder case is scheduled for the 17th of this month. The Kollam Additional Sessions Court concluded final arguments. During the trial, the court examined over 70 witnesses, including police officers, forensic experts, and medical professionals. The prosecution presented 22 pieces of physical evidence and 207 documents.

This tragic event marks the first instance of a doctor being killed within a hospital in Kerala. The victim, Dr. Vandana Das, was a house surgeon at the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital. She was the only child of K.G. Mohandas and Vasanthakumari from Kaduthuruthy, Kottayam. She had recently completed her MBBS from Azizia Medical College.

The incident occurred at 4:35 am on May 10, 2023. The accused, Sandeep, was an aided school teacher from Nedumbana. Earlier that morning, Sandeep called the police control room requesting assistance. Officers found him in a neighbor's field with a leg injury and transported him to the hospital.

While at the hospital, Sandeep was initially cooperative. Dr. Vandana accompanied him to the dressing room to treat his wound. Suddenly, Sandeep became violent in the casualty department and attacked those around him. He then rushed into the observation room and stabbed Dr. Vandana 27 times using surgical scissors. She sustained fatal wounds to her chest and head.

The defense argued that Sandeep suffered from mental illness. However, a court-ordered medical evaluation refuted this claim. Investigations revealed a history of alcohol-related domestic issues, and his wife provided a statement against him. Sandeep has since been dismissed from his teaching position.