Page 10 of Trapped By the Maharaja
“Alright, I’ve got to go, Rajesh. See you later.”
Sanjana began scanning the patient board, already preparing for the next patient.
CHAPTER 5
It was nearing midnight when Sanjana sat on the edge of her desk, sipping hot chai from a chipped mug that had been with her since her medical school days.
She had just finished her double shift and was looking forward to spending a quiet evening in her apartment. But outside the small window, she could see lightning followed by thunder. It was going to rain. She hoped to get to her apartment without getting soaked. She didn’t have the energy to dry her long hair. She just wanted to crash on her small yet comfortable bed.
She was dreaming about catching a seven-hour sleep when there was a knock.
It was Rajesh. But instead of a shy smile, his eyes widened in panic.
“Sanjana… you must leave,” he said urgently. “My father… he has filed criminal charges against you.”
Sanjana’s brow knit. “What?”
“My father contacted the board and… the parents of a patient you treated last month without authorization have joined the complaint. You administered a drug still in trial. They’re claiming endangerment and malpractice.”
Her heart clenched. “But the child recovered.”
“It doesn’t matter. The board is saying that you broke federal health regulations. And now…” He looked scared. “The police are here to place you under arrest.”
Sanjana’s heart raced. “Where is Dr. Kolli?” she asked. Dr. Kolli, the pediatrics department head, always took her side.
Dr. Rajesh’s eyes fell. “Dr. Kolli was there during the meeting and tried his best to support you, but the board decided not to drop the charges.”
Sanjana knew Rajesh’s father, Dr. Rao, had a grudge against her. But she didn’t think he would go so far.
“Sanjana, you must leave from the back. Don’t go to your apartment because the police might get there. Go somewhere else. Meanwhile, we’ll find a lawyer—”
“No, Rajesh,” Sanjana said firmly. “I will fight this my way, however long it might take.”
“Sanjana, but—”
Sanjana put down her teacup carefully before stepping out of the room and into the corridor.
“Sanjana, please,” Rajesh pleaded. “Listen to me—”
Sanjana didn’t stop. She walked towards the lobby, where there was already a small group of people. The board members, especially Dr. Rao, were among them, talking to police officers. Dr. Rao had a satisfied look on his face. Dr. Kolli, the department head, looked helpless.
As Sanjana went closer, two uniformed officers stepped towards her. One of the officers cleared his throat.
“Dr. Sanjana Shetty?” he asked.
Sanjana looked at him calmly. “Yes.”
“Dr. Shetty, you’re under arrest for unauthorized medical practice, endangerment of a child, and violation of state health regulations,” he said.
Sanjana nodded, knowing it was no use arguing with the police as they were doing the job the hospital board had asked them to.
She was handcuffed by the police officer, who looked visibly uncomfortable.
The police led her through the hospital’s main corridor.
Doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff began gathering, looking visibly shocked and upset. A few of the young interns she had mentored also looked shocked.
Sanjana met their eyes with a small, reassuring smile. She knew many of them became doctors because of their passion. She wanted them to save lives at all times and not fear consequences.
