On August 2, 2025, Shivani Vaibhav Gawhane allegedly lost her newborn at the Washim District Women’s Hospital in Maharashtra, with her family claiming severe medical negligence. Despite allegedly being in intense labour for over 14 hours, she purportedly received no medical attention and was reportedly subjected to “inhumane” treatment, including allegedly being slapped and having her stomach forcefully pressed by unqualified staff, as per News18.
The baby was allegedly declared stillborn upon delivery due to a lack of heartbeat. The grieving family has demanded the filing of a culpable homicide case against the implicated doctors and staff, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
Allegations of Brutal Negligence and Mistreatment Surface
Shivani Vaibhav Gawhane, from Palsakhed, was allegedly admitted to the hospital at 3 am. Doctors reportedly assured her family that the delivery would occur by 10 am. However, despite her purportedly excruciating labour pains and repeated pleas, no doctor or nurse allegedly examined her until 5 pm, a harrowing 14-hour period. The family alleges she was physically assaulted during this time, specifically slapped on the cheek and purportedly subjected to dangerous manual pressure on her abdomen by unqualified personnel.
Upon delivery at 5:30 pm, the newborn was tragically declared dead due to the alleged absence of a heartbeat. Shivani’s mother-in-law, Lata Gawhane, publicly decried the incident as “criminal negligence,” while her father-in-law, Dnyaneshwar Gawhane, stated their desperate pleas were allegedly ignored by hospital staff, intensifying their demand for stringent legal action.
Incident Allegedly Highlights Systemic Failures in Public Healthcare
This devastating event has purportedly cast a harsh light on pervasive issues of medical negligence and accountability within public health facilities across Maharashtra and beyond. The alleged mistreatment and purported fatal neglect of a pregnant woman during childbirth point to critical systemic failures, including allegedly insufficient staffing, inadequate oversight, and purportedly inhumane patient handling.
The family’s pursuit of culpable homicide charges underscores the gravity of their accusations and the broader societal demand for stricter professional ethics and patient safety protocols. The case has ignited public discussion on patient rights and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in healthcare administration and medical training.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The tragic loss of a newborn under such alleged circumstances is a grave failure of both healthcare and humanity. The Logical Indian unequivocally stands for ethical, humane, and dignified medical care for all, particularly for expectant mothers.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that alleged negligence and inhumane treatment cannot be tolerated in any healthcare setting. We believe this tragedy must galvanise concrete action towards robust accountability mechanisms, transparent investigations, and systemic improvements in maternal healthcare.
