Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Nine-Year-Old Tribal Girl's Death Sparks Medical Negligence Case
A nine‑year‑old girl named Khushbu from a tribal village in Maharashtra got sick with leprosy and was given medicine called Dapsone.
Doctors said the medicine made her liver hurt, but they didn’t stop it.
She got worse and died.
Her family and activists asked the police to investigate.
After 18 months, the police made a criminal complaint against the doctor for not following proper care.
The case is now being looked at by a medical committee and the police are working on a chargesheet.
Pen police registered an FIR against Dr. Mamta Madhukar Gajbe for alleged medical negligence in the death of nine‑year‑old Khushbu Namdev Thakre.
Khushbu, diagnosed with leprosy in December 2024, received Dapsone treatment that allegedly caused liver damage and was not stopped after abnormal blood tests.
A Medical Negligence Committee report found that Dr. Gajbe failed to discontinue the drug and to monitor the child’s worsening condition.
Activists and Khushbu’s family staged a hunger strike and sit‑in protest to demand the FIR, which was released only after the agitation.
The case is part of an 18‑month campaign led by Khushbu’s father and social organisations seeking a full investigation and chargesheet.
- Who
- Dr. Mamta Madhukar Gajbe, Khushbu Namdev Thakre, activists and family
- What
- FIR filed for alleged medical negligence in Khushbu’s death
- When
- After 18 months following Khushbu’s death on January 22, 2025
- Where
- Pen, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Why
- Alleged negligent treatment and failure to stop anti‑leprosy medication
- Child's name
- Khushbu Namdev Thakre
- Age
- 9
- Date of death
- January 22, 2025
- Accused doctor
- Dr. Mamta Madhukar Gajbe
- FIR filed under
- Section 106(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Medical condition
- Leprosy (Kusum campaign)
- Treatment
- Dapsone
- Key finding
- Failure to discontinue Dapsone contributed to death