I might be murdered: Last message of 37 year old Delhi journalist who committed suicide at AIIMS

New Delhi: The death of a 37-year-old journalist who had tested Covid-19 positive, according to reports, killed self by jumping off the fourth floor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi Monday afternoon, has sent shockwaves and raised many questions.

The 37-year-old journalist, identified as Tarun Sisodiya, who was undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at AIIMS Delhi killed self by jumping off the fourth floor of the hospital on Monday afternoon after breaking the window pane of the floor. The man was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) but succumbed to his injuries later.

The young journalist reportedly worked with a Hindi daily and was a resident of northeast Delhi’s Bhajanpura.

Speculation is rife that Tarun Sisodiya had flagged negligence by the hospital during his treatment and his complaints even reached the ministry of health.The Ministry of Health later asked the hospital to submit a report.

The hospital then apparently snatched his phone from him and decided to shift him to the ICU to prevent him from bringing out negligence in his treatment.

However, AIIMS, in its statement over the death of the journalist, has claimed that he was “having bouts of disorientation” for which he was seen by a neurologist and psychiatrist and put on medication.But matters got worse.

Whatsapp screenshot

Meanwhile, a screenshot of a WhatsApp group chat is being circulated in social media with claims that Tarun had feared days ago and had gotten a hunch that he could be murdered and had written about the same on the group.

“Mr Tarun Sisodiya, 37, was admitted to JPNATC on June 24 with Covid-19. He was making significant recovery from his Covid symptoms. He was stable on room air today and was planned for shifting to general ward from the ICU,” AIIMS had said in its statement Monday

“While he was in JPNATC for treatment of Covid-19, he was having bouts of disorientation for which he was seen by a neurologist and psychiatrist and put on medication. The family members were regularly counselled regarding his condition,” AIIMS said.

“Tarun ran out of his room Monday afternoon. Attendants ran after him and tried to stop him but he ran to the fourth floor where he broke the windowpane and jumped put,” the hospital added.

Health Minister sets up immediate enquiry

Health Minister sets up an inquiry into the alleged suicide of journalist Tarun Sisodia at AIIMS today. Report to be submitted within 48 hours. Health Minister orders inquiry into Tarun Sisodiya’s death.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan ordered AIIMS director to “immediately” constitute an official inquiry into this incident, following which a high-level committee has been set up. The committee shall submit its report within 48 hours, Harsh Vardhan said.

He said that this is an internal inquiry, with committee members from within AIIMS itself, which will be set up to look into the matter on an urgent basis.

The inquiry committee consists of Chief of Neuroscience Centre Prof Padma, Head of Psychiatry Dept Prof RK Chaddha, Deputy Director (Admin) SH Panda and Head of Physical Medicine and Rehab Dr U Singh.

“Deeply shocked & saddened by the death of young journalist Shri Tarun Sisodia ji. It was a most unfortunate incident. I have no words to express my grief. My condolences to his whole family, esp his wife & young children May God give them the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” Harsh Vardhan said in a tweet.

“I ordered AIIMS Director to immediately constitute an official inquiry into this incident, following which a high-level committee has been set up & shall submit its report within 48 hours,” the health minister added.

PNN/Agencies