AIIMS Bhopal doctor dies after 24 days on life support; police probe alleged overdose

Dr Rashmi Verma, an assistant professor in the Emergency and Trauma Department at AIIMS Bhopal, died on January 5 after remaining on ventilator support for 24 days, officials confirmed. Police say her death followed an alleged self-administered overdose of an anaesthesia drug at her residence on December 11. A note recovered from her home states she was taking her own life and that no one should be held responsible.

Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances, even as the hospital maintains that there is no evidence of professional pressure linked to the incident.

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What the police and hospital say

According to ACP Aditi Bhavsar, Dr Verma returned home after duty on December 11 and is believed to have administered a high dose of anaesthesia. When her condition worsened, family members rushed her to AIIMS Bhopal.

By the time she arrived, police said about 25 minutes had elapsed and her heart had reportedly stopped for around seven minutes. Doctors immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After three cycles, her heartbeat was restored, but the prolonged oxygen deprivation caused severe neurological injury.

An MRI conducted after 72 hours confirmed “global hypoxic brain injury”, a condition doctors say offers very limited chances of recovery. She remained in the main ICU on ventilator support for 24 days before passing away at around 11 am on January 5.

Police recovered a handwritten note from her residence. “The note states that she alone is responsible and that no one should be blamed or harassed,” ACP Bhavsar said. The document has been sent for handwriting examination. A case of unnatural death has been registered, and the post-mortem report is awaited to establish further medical details.

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Family account and mental health context

Family members told investigators that Dr Verma had been under emotional stress following her father’s death and was experiencing depression. They added that she had not raised any workplace complaints.

Her husband, Dr Manmohan Shakya, an orthopaedic specialist, brought her to the hospital in an unconscious state on the day of the incident.

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Questions around workplace environment

In the days after her hospitalisation, some voices raised concerns about a possible toxic work culture at AIIMS Bhopal. Hospital sources, however, say Dr Verma never filed a formal complaint, was known for her professional diligence, and that no concrete evidence has emerged linking her condition to workplace pressure.

The institute constituted a high-level internal committee to examine the circumstances. Officials have said the review is ongoing, and no formal statement has been issued so far.

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Who she was

Dr Verma completed her MBBS at Motilal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj, and her MD at BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur. She later served at LN Medical College and PMS Bhopal, and had nearly five years of teaching experience.

Colleagues described her as compassionate and dedicated, often helping economically disadvantaged patients with treatment costs. She also served as the nodal officer for CPR training programmes, a role central to emergency preparedness.

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Why this case matters

Public safety: The incident underscores the risks of access to potent medications outside clinical settings and the need for strict protocols.
Governance: The police probe and hospital review will test how institutions respond to medical crises involving their own staff.
Healthcare workforce: At a time of rising burnout and mental health challenges among doctors, the case highlights the importance of support systems, early intervention, and stigma-free care.
Trust: Clear findings from the post-mortem and forensic verification are critical to maintaining confidence in both law enforcement and hospital oversight.