Human Rights Commission launches investigation into newborn’s death in Kerala hospital

Kerala State Human Rights Commission Chairperson Alexander Thomas ordered an investigation on Sunday (February 22, 2026) into the death of a newborn that occurred soon after the baby was delivered via C-section at the Nedumangad taluk hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

The District Medical Officer should submit an investigation report within a month.

Activist Saithali Kaipadi had filed a complaint, demanding that a case be filed against the doctor responsible for the incident.

The incident in which the newborn died soon after the C-section happened on Tuesday (February 17, 2026). Ranjana Krishnan, a resident of Anappara, Vithura, had visited the hospital on Monday (February 16, 2026) for a third-trimester antenatal check-up and was advised to undergo immediate admission. She was taken to the labour room early Tuesday morning for induction of labour. As labour did not progress, she was rushed for a C-section to another block of the hospital around 2:20 p.m.

Although the baby was delivered, it died shortly afterward.

The family alleged that the doctor had not communicated the possibility of complications to them and claimed that prolonging the labour and failing to conduct the C-section in a timely manner had led to the death of the newborn.

The death of the baby had triggered major protests and altercations at the hospital, with the family refusing to accept the body of the infant and alleging that medical negligence had led to the death.

Following massive protests at the hospital by the family as well as various political outfits, K.J. Reena, Director of Health Services, on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) directed Bindu Sundar, gynaecologist and RMO at the taluk hospital, to go on forced leave.