A deeply disturbing incident has come to light from Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district. A 32-year-old woman lost her life after unknowingly consuming a pesticide tablet. The tablet was reportedly handed to the woman as a painkiller by a local medical store in MP. The tragic mishap occurred on Thursday evening. The incident has prompted swift action from local authorities.
Painkiller Request Ends in Tragedy
According to reports, the victim is identified as Rekha. She is a resident of Dharampuri village, just 3 kilometers from the Jhabua district headquarters. Due to severe toothache Rekha visited a nearby medical store near Thandla Gate on Thursday. She asked for a painkiller seeking relief for her toothache. However, instead of a painkiller, she was mistakenly handed a sulphas tablet.
What is Sulphas & fumigation?
Sulphas is a pesticide commonly used for fumigation purposes. Fumigation is a method of pest control or the removal of harmful microorganisms by completely filling an area with gaseous pesticides, or fumigants, to suffocate or poison the pests within. It is used to control pests in buildings, soil, grain, and produce. Sulphas is so deadly that it is used as suicide pill in Ghaziabad.
Rekha unknowingly consumed the tablet later that evening at home. Following this her health began to deteriorate rapidly. Soon, Rekha was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. She was declared dead by the doctors on Thursday.
Sulphas Poisoning Confirmed in Post-Mortem
Following her demise a preliminary post-mortem was conducted. The preliminary report confirmed that the cause of death was due to Sulphas poisoning. After the initial findings of the report, Rekha’s family registered a formal complaint with the police on Friday. The Police filed an FIR and the medical store from where the tablet was purchased has been sealed since then.
Store Owner Arrested, Salesperson Missing
Padma Vilochan Shukla, the Jhabua Superintendent of Police confirmed that the store owner, Lokendra Babel (52), has been arrested. The arrest of the Medical store owner was made under Section 105 of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). This section deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Meanwhile the salesperson who handed over the tablet to Rekha is on the run. The authorities are also making efforts to locate the salesperson. His role in the alleged incident is under investigation.
Drug Control Department Joins Investigation
In addition, the Drug Control Department has been brought in to assist with the probe. This was particularly to determine how and why such a dangerous chemical substance was being stored in a medical store. Pharmacies are not authorized to sell pesticides as per law.
Pharmacies in India cannot sell pesticides without a separate pesticide license. The sale of pesticides is regulated by the Insecticides Act, 1968, and requires a specific license. Pharmacies primarily focus on pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies, while pesticides fall under a separate regulatory framework.
Investigation Ongoing
Police say further action will be taken based on the results of the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, authorities have urged citizens to verify medications before consumption. Citizens are also asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity at medical stores to prevent similar tragedies.
