The family of a resident doctor from Jodhpur, who died by suicide allegedly due to pressure from senior, is staging protest demanding justice from the Rajasthan government.

The family of Dr Rakesh Vishnoi have been staging a protest outside the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur for over four days following his death, accusing the Rajasthan government of insensitivity.

Dr Vishnoi was allegedly under severe mental pressure from his Head of Department (HOD) at Mathura Das Mathur (MDM) Hospital in Jodhpur, Dr Raj Kumar Rathore. According to the family, this pressure led to his death.

The family claim that the doctor left behind a recorded dying declaration, made in the presence of police, in which he directly accused Dr Rathore of abetment.

“… he was admitted in MDM, the same hospital in which he was doing Post Graduation. When he was asked in front of hospital administration and the police that why did you consume the tablets, he mentioned that my department Head, Dr Raj Kumar Rathore, is troubling me…he is troubling me again and again in many ways. That is why, I consumed the tablets.” Subhash Bishnoi, brother of Dr Vishnoi, told India Today.

Family members further allege that Dr Rathore had threatened to obstruct Dr Vishnoi’s postgraduate thesis and had demanded money.

“…they intentionally stopped him there for 3.5 hours. Despite the machine being there, he was sent here to die in pain and was in pain … my brother mentioned to me that he is asking for money,” said Shrikrishna Vishnoi, Dr Vishnoi’s elder brother.

Opposition leaders have joined the protest, condemning the state government’s response and police actions. Among those present at the site on Wednesday were Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, Congress leader Anil Chopra, and youth leader Nirmal Chaudhary.

“Do not consider this family alone. We are stringly standing with this family and till the last time, till this family is satisfied, will be standing with this family,” said Congress leader Anil Chopra.

Protesters also alleged that police tried to disperse them, prompting opposition leaders to warn against any move to suppress the agitation.

Dr Vishnoi’s body remains in the SMS Hospital mortuary. The family has refused to claim it until their demands are fulfilled. These include the arrest of Dr Rathore and a government job for Dr Vishnoi’s widow.