Dr Rashmi Verma, an assistant professor in the Emergency and Trauma Department at AIIMS Bhopal, passed away on Monday after battling for life for 24 days following an alleged overdose of an anaesthesia injection. Police have recovered a suicide note from her residence, stating that she alone was responsible for her death and that no one should be blamed.
Incident and medical emergency
According to police and hospital officials, Dr Verma returned home after completing her duty on December 11. Soon after, she allegedly administered herself a high dose of anaesthesia. Her health deteriorated rapidly, prompting family members to rush her to AIIMS Bhopal.
By the time she reached the hospital, nearly 25 minutes had passed, and her heart had reportedly stopped functioning for about seven minutes. Doctors in the emergency department immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. After three rounds of CPR, her heartbeat was restored.
Severe brain injury confirmed
Despite revival, Dr Verma had already suffered extensive brain damage due to prolonged oxygen deprivation. An MRI conducted 72 hours later confirmed global hypoxic brain injury, a condition doctors say leaves minimal chances of recovery.
She remained on ventilator support in the main ICU for 24 days. A multidisciplinary team of specialists continued treatment, but her condition showed no improvement. AIIMS authorities confirmed that she passed away on January 5 at around 11 am. Her body was later handed over to the family.
Suicide note and police investigation
Police said a suicide note was found at Dr Verma’s home, in which she wrote that she was taking her own life voluntarily and requested that no one be harassed after her death. The note has been sent for handwriting examination.
ACP Aditi Bhavsar said an unnatural death case has been registered. “Family members have not made any allegations against anyone. Further details will be known after the post-mortem report and handwriting expert’s opinion,” she said.
Personal background and work culture questions
Family members informed police that Dr Verma had been under emotional stress following the death of her father and was suffering from depression. They stated that she had not raised any work-related complaints.
During her treatment, questions were raised in some quarters about a possible toxic work culture at AIIMS Bhopal. Hospital sources, however, said she had never officially reported professional pressure. The AIIMS management has constituted a high-level committee to examine the matter, though no findings have been made public so far.
Dr Verma completed her MBBS from Motilal Nehru Medical College and her MD from BRD Medical College. Known as a compassionate doctor, she often supported poor patients by bearing treatment expenses herself and also served as the nodal officer for CPR training programmes.