A newborn died soon after being delivered by C-section at Nedumangad taluk hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The family refused to accept the baby's body, accusing medical negligence for the death. This led to major protests at the hospital involving family members and political groups. K.J. Reena, Director of Health Services, ordered Bindu Sundar, the gynaecologist and RMO at the hospital, to go on forced leave on Wednesday. There were earlier complaints against Dr. Sundar, and an expert inquiry is ongoing. A three-member expert team from SAT Hospital will visit Nedumangad on Wednesday to investigate the incident. Meanwhile, the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) protested against doctors being judged harshly by the media and public before any inquiry, saying, "doctors are being subjected to ‘trial by mob and the media even before an inquiry was conducted to ascertain the facts of the case.’"