'Bhawana never arrived': Mystery deepens over death of Rajasthan woman doctor in Hisar

Bhawana had completed her MBBS from the Philippines in 2023. She was preparing for the FMGE by taking online classes and attending weekly tests in Delhi

A 25-year-old medical graduate from Rajasthan, Bhawana Yadav, who was on track to pursue a medical career in India after completing her MBBS from the Philippines, has died under mysterious circumstances in Haryana’s Hisar.

The incident has sent shockwaves through her hometown and sparked demands for a thorough investigation, as her family alleges she was murdered - a claim now at the center of a police probe, NDTV reported.

Bhawana Yadav, a resident of Anantpura village in Behror, had recently returned to India after earning her degree in the Philippines in 2023. She was preparing for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), a mandatory licensing test for Indian and OCI doctors who study medicine abroad. Yadav was attending online classes and regularly travelled to Delhi for weekly tests, usually staying with her younger sister, who is preparing for the civil services examination.

On April 21 and 22, Bhawana stayed with her sister in Delhi and appeared for her exams. She last spoke to her mother, Gayatri Devi, on April 23, assuring her she would return home the next morning. But Bhawana never arrived.

Instead, on April 24, Gayatri Devi received a distressing call from a man identifying himself as Umesh (or Udesh) Yadav, who informed her that Bhawana had suffered severe burn injuries and was admitted to Soni Hospital in Hisar.

Upon rushing to Hisar, Bhawana’s mother found her daughter in critical condition, with hospital staff unable to clarify where or how Bhawana had been found. Due to the severity of her injuries, Bhawana was transferred to Jaipur’s SMS Hospital, where she died during treatment on the night of April 24.

The circumstances surrounding her death remain murky. Gayatri Devi, a government school principal, has filed a zero FIR in Jaipur, which has since been forwarded to Hisar police for further investigation. She alleges that her daughter was stabbed in the abdomen with a sharp weapon before being set on fire. During treatment, it was observed that Bhawana’s face, abdomen and legs up to the knees were badly burned. At the same time, her hair and back remained untouched, details that have fueled suspicions of a targeted attack rather than an accident.

Adding to the mystery, Bhawana’s laptop, mobile phone and important documents were missing. The family also expressed suspicion over the man who called to relay news of Bhawana’s injuries, noting that he has since gone missing and switched off his phone.

The shocking death has triggered a wave of grief and anger in Bhawana’s village, with locals and relatives demanding a fair and transparent investigation. Police in Hisar have confirmed that they are probing the case based on the family’s complaint, but as of now, the official FIR from Rajasthan police has not been received by Hisar authorities.