Medical council starts probe into Bengal cricketer Ankit Keshri's death

Ankit Keshri

Kolkata: Following allegation of foul play and medical negligence, the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) has initiated a probe into the death of Bengal cricketer Ankit Keshri, who died of injuries sustained in on-field collision, an official said on Thursday.


Ankit Keshri

"We have initiated action on the basis of a complaint by Ankit's family. We have sent notices to both the hospitals where the late cricketer was admitted following his injury as well as sought explanation from a doctor who attended Ankit," WBMC registrar D.K. Ghosh said.

Ankit's father Raj Kumar Keshri in his complaint to the WBMC alleged that Ankit, who was admitted to the AMRI Hospital April 17 following the on-field collision with anothrr player, was subsequently shifted to Nightingale Nursing Home without his consent.

"Ankit was shifted to Nightingale Nursing Home where he died. He was shifted without my consent and for reasons best known to them. From the account of the accident and the subsequent process of treatment, I suspect there is some foul play and also gross negligence," Raj Kumar alleged in his complaint filed last month.

In a notice to a critical care specialist of AMRI Hospital, the WBMC has sought explanation from him about the treatment provided to Ankit. The council has also asked the medical superintendent of Nightingale nursing home to provide details of the doctors associated with Ankit's treatment.

Raj Kumar as well as city-based rights Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) has approached police for a probe into the cricketer's death, alleging foul play.

Ankit, a former Bengal Under-19 captain, was hospitalised with a head injury on April 17 after colliding with teammate Sourav Mondal while fielding for his club East Bengal during a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) senior knockout match against Bhowanipore. He died of injuries three days later in a hospital.