Police Register Case Against Doctor After Baby’s Fatal Reaction to Anesthetic

Kannur police have opened a criminal case against Dr. Anjali Poduvalli following the death of an 18‑month‑old boy who experienced a lethal reaction to anesthesia. The child, named Devansh Shaurya, sustained a minor lip injury while playing on July 5 and was taken to Baby Memorial Hospital in Payyannur. Doctors elected to close the wound using general anesthesia. Shortly after the injection, the infant’s condition worsened, and he became unresponsive. He was transferred to the Kannur unit for intensive treatment, but despite emergency resuscitation and ventilator support, he died at around 9 p.m. on Friday. The family lodged a formal complaint through relative K. Rajiv, leading investigators to charge the physician under Section 125 of the Indian Penal Code for alleged medical negligence. Hospital officials dispute the allegations, stating that the child suffered an unexpected cardiac arrest immediately after anesthesia, that the staff followed all standard protocols, and that all possible measures were taken to revive him.