12 Years Later, Bilaspur Doctor Convicted In Sterilisation Tragedy That Killed 15 Women
Dr RK Gupta sentenced to two years in prison and fined Rs 25,000 for Bilaspur sterilisation deaths.
Twelve years after a tragic sterilisation drive that claimed the lives of 15 women in Bilaspur, a court has held surgeon Dr RK Gupta guilty of culpable homicide. The Additional District Judge (ADJ) Shailesh Kumar sentenced Dr. Gupta to two years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹25,000, while five other accused were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
The court found that gross negligence and the performance of an excessive number of surgeries in a dangerously short period were the primary causes of the tragedy. In addition to the main sentence, Dr. Gupta was also sentenced to six months of imprisonment and fined ₹500 under Section 337 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to causing hurt by acts endangering life.
The incident occurred in November 2014 during government-organised mass sterilisation camps at Nemichand Jain Hospital (Sakri), Pendari, and Pendra in Bilaspur district. Driven by state-imposed targets, medical teams conducted a large number of surgeries in a single day, overwhelming facilities and compromising patient safety.
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Shortly after the procedures, many women began experiencing severe health complications. Over 100 patients were rushed to the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), the district hospital, and private medical facilities, but despite critical care, 15 women succumbed to post-surgery complications.
The tragedy sparked national outrage and renewed criticism of target-driven population control policies, raising concerns about the ethical standards and oversight of government health initiatives. Public discourse following the incident highlighted systemic failures in both planning and execution of mass sterilisation campaigns.
The court’s verdict, delivered after more than a decade of legal proceedings, is seen as a measure of accountability for the negligent practices that led to the loss of lives. While the sentencing has provided some closure, questions about preventive measures and patient safety in government-run health programs continue to resonate across the state and the country.
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