Karnataka: Probe launched into 5-year-old’s death due to snake bite in Uttara Kannada

Days after the tragic death of five-year-old Mayuri Suresh Kumbaleppanavar in Uttara Kannada district due to a snakebite, local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of alleged negligence. 

Mayuri Kumbaleppanavar died on Tuesday, December 31, after being bitten by a snake when she went into the open to relieve herself while she was at an anganwadi in Mundgod. Her parents had filed a complaint with the Mundgod police station alleging that Mayuri was made to wait for half an hour before being sent to a hospital one-and-a-half hours away in Hubballi and that she had died due to medical negligence. The Mundgod police then wrote to the District Medical Officer regarding an investigation into medical negligence. 

Dr Niraj BV, District Health and Family Welfare Officer, Uttara Kannada, confirmed to TNM that he had received the letter from the Mundgod police. He said their preliminary information pointed out that the taluk hospital staff did not know the girl had been brought in to treat a snake bite. 

“We have enough stock of anti-snake venom, and doctors are trained for such emergencies. This should not have happened, and a team is investigating the issue. A report will be submitted in three days,” he said.

Activists had staged a protest in front of the Mundgod taluk office, demanding an inquiry into why Mayuri went to relieve herself in the open when there was a toilet in the anganwadi. 

Shankar Gowdi, Tahsildar of Mundgod taluk, said they were conducting an inquiry into the allegations, and he had spoken to Mayuri’s family. He said that the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) has been directed to ensure such lapses are addressed in all taluks in the future.

“The family will be provided compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” Shankar told TNM.

In 2024, Uttara Kannada district recorded 635 incidents of snake bites—an average of two a day. Of these, six resulted in deaths, data from the District Health Department shows. 

After being bitten by a snake, Mayuri was rushed to the Taluk Hospital, located just 1.5 kilometres away. Her family has alleged that doctors failed to attend to her for half an hour and then advised them to transport the patient to Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute in Hubballi, 1.5 hours away. The delay proved fatal, with Mayuri dying en route.