Kesari Verma Death Case: Basti Police Probe

The death of 30-year-old woman constable Kesari Verma in Basti has raised serious questions over medical leave handling after a road accident. The case is now under departmental and magisterial scrutiny following allegations that her medical leave application was not forwarded despite supporting documents.

BASTI, India — The Kesari Verma death case has brought renewed attention to the way medical emergencies and leave applications are handled within the police administration. Verma, a 2018-batch woman constable posted at Lalganj police station in Basti, died on August 29 after suffering a serious head injury in a motorcycle accident on August 22 in Pratapgarh.

Key Highlights

• Keshari Verma suffered a head injury after her motorcycle collided with a stray dog near Shukulpur Mod in Gadwara, Pratapgarh, on August 22.
• She received local treatment, four stitches and an initial CT scan before returning to Basti on August 24 after her previously approved leave ended.
• A medical leave application submitted at the Basti SP office was accompanied by the CT scan report and medical documents, according to the supplied account.
• She was found unconscious at her residence during the early hours of August 29 and was declared dead at District Hospital Basti.
• Her husband, constable Nagendra Verma, demanded action against the employees he alleged were responsible for withholding the leave application.
• Circle Officer Kalwari Brijesh Singh and Circle Officer Harraiya Swarnima Singh assured the family of an investigation.

Kesari Verma death case began after a road accident

Kesari Verma was originally from Baskhori (Kalyanpur) village in the Antu police station area of Pratapgarh. She married Nagendra Verma, a 2020-batch constable posted at Lalganj police station, in 2023. The couple was living in rented accommodation in the Bankati area of Basti.

On August 22, while travelling toward the railway station after her approved leave, Verma’s motorcycle reportedly collided with a stray dog near Shukulpur Mod in Gadwara, Pratapgarh. She sustained a serious injury to the back of her head. Local treatment included four stitches and an initial CT scan.

Despite continuing health problems, she returned to Basti on August 24 and reported at Lalganj police station after her leave period ended.

Medical leave application and alleged administrative delay

Verma continued to experience headaches and required wound dressing, removal of stitches and follow-up medical evaluation. On August 27, she submitted a leave application at the Basti SP office.

The supplied account states that the application included her CT scan report, medical prescription and details of the four stitches. It further alleges that two clerical employees posted at the leave desk refused to forward the request and told her that neither earned leave nor medical leave would be granted.

According to the account, Verma visited the office for two consecutive days but did not receive the requested leave. The circumstances surrounding the handling of her application are now part of the investigation.

Health deteriorated in the early hours of August 29

At around 3:00 to 4:00 a.m. on August 29, Verma’s condition reportedly deteriorated suddenly at her residence. Her husband, who had returned from guard duty, took her to District Hospital Basti with the assistance of colleagues.

Doctors examined her at the hospital and declared her dead. Her body was subsequently sent for post-mortem examination.

Investigation into the role of SP office staff

Following the death, Nagendra Verma demanded that a first information report be registered against the employees he held responsible at the SP office. The protest at the post-mortem house was followed by assurances from Circle Officer Harraiya Swarnima Singh and Circle Officer Kalwari Brijesh Singh that the matter would be investigated.

The supplied material states that the investigation has been assigned to the Circle Officers of Kalwari and Harraiya. The inquiry is expected to examine how Verma’s medical leave request was handled and whether the application was prevented from reaching the competent authority.

Questions over police leave management and accountability

The case has also raised broader questions about administrative procedures for police personnel facing medical emergencies. The supplied account argues that clerical staff should process and place leave applications before the competent authority rather than independently determining whether serious medical leave should be granted.

It also proposes digital emergency medical leave procedures, defined timelines for processing medical applications and greater accountability for staff handling such requests. Another proposed measure is a dedicated police welfare cell at the district level to coordinate treatment, follow-up examinations and administrative leave requirements for injured or seriously ill personnel.

The immediate focus remains on the departmental and magisterial inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Kesari Verma’s death and the handling of her medical leave application.

Praveen Yadav

Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Editor at The Nation Bulletin. With over 3 years of experience in digital journalism and news reporting, he covers national affairs, governance, and breaking current events with a commitment to factual accuracy and verified reporting.