A Fractured Thumb, A Flawed Report, and a Fight for Answers: My Quest for Justice Through RTI

Have you ever felt like the system designed to protect you has failed? That’s the position I find myself in as I deal with an unfortunate issue involving a fractured thumb. My name is Mahima Maurya, and this isn’t just a story about a broken bone; it’s a story about a broken trust. I’ve filed a Right to Information (RTI) request because I need answers, and I want to share my journey with you.

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The Incident of A Fractured Thumb: Two Hospitals, Two Different Stories

It started with an injury. Following the incident detailed in the police report, the police took me to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Vindhyachal for a medical examination. The report prepared by the Medical Officer there seemed to downplay my injuries in terms of having a fractured thumb.

However, my pain told me a different story.

Later, at Tej Bahadur Sapru Hospital in Prayagraj, an X-ray revealed the truth the first report missed: a confirmed fracture in my thumb. This raises a critical question: how could a medical examiner overlook such a significant injury in a police-referred examination? Was it negligence or something more considering the seriousness of a fractured thumb?

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My RTI: The Six Questions I Demand Answers To

Frustrated and seeking accountability, I filed an RTI request with the Medical and Health Directorate. A formal document is sometimes the only weapon a common citizen has. My request isn’t just a form; it’s a demand for transparency. Here are the six key things I’m asking:

1. The Missing X-Ray: Why didn’t the doctor conduct an X-ray at CHC Vindhyachal during my initial examination, especially when a later one confirmed a fracture?
2. The Doctor’s Record: Who is the Medical Officer who wrote my initial report? I’ve asked for their complete posting history in Mirzapur and specifically at CHC Vindhyachal, especially in context to overlooking something as evident as a fractured thumb.
3. Professional Background: What was this doctor’s very first posting upon joining the medical services?
4. Equipment Check: How many X-ray machines does CHC Vindhyachal even have? Are they working, or are they non-functional props?
5. The Rulebook: What are the official guidelines and protocols for preparing medico-legal reports in police cases? Are there checks in place to ensure they are accurate and impartial?
6. Accountability: Has the department taken any action against this doctor for submitting what I believe is a misleading report that could lead to a grave miscarriage of justice?

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Why This Matters for Everyone

This isn’t just my fight. An inaccurate medico-legal report can derail a police investigation and deny a victim justice. This situation undermines our faith in the public health system, which should serve as our first point of care and truth. The question of how a thumb fracture was missed in a police case shakes the very foundation of the justice system.

I am now waiting for the Public Information Officer at the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) office in Mirzapur to respond. The 30-day clock has started. Join me in this wait for truth. I’ll be sharing updates as I get them.

 First Appeal (Section 19(1) of the RTI Act 2005)

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1. Appeal Details

Public Authority Medical and Health Directorate

PIO Concerned Mirzapur CMO Mirzapur

RTI Registration Number DIRMH/R/2025/66431

Date of Filing of RTI 08/10/2025

First Appellate Authority FAA Director Health Services / Director General of Medical and Health Services Uttar Pradesh

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2. Grounds for Appeal

No response has been received from the Public Information Officer PIO CMO Mirzapur against the RTI Application bearing Registration Number DIRMH/R/2025/66431 which was filed on 08/10/2025. The statutory time limit of 30 days under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act 2005 has long expired. This constitutes a deemed refusal of the requested information.

(NOTE: If you received an unsatisfactory response replace the above with a concise summary of why the PIOs reply was inadequate for example: The response received from the PIO is incomplete and only provides information for Point 4. All other points remain unanswered.)

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3. Description of Information Sought in Original RTI (Required for context)

I had requested the following six points of information in the original RTI application DIRMH/R/2025/66431:

1. The reason why an X-ray which later confirmed a fracture in the victims thumb at Tej Bahadur Sapru Hospital Prayagraj was not conducted at CHC Vindhyachal during the initial medical examination of Mahima Maurya.
2. The posting details of the Medical Officer who prepared the medical examination report including the date of joining in Mirzapur district and specific postings related to CHC Vindhyachal.
3. The first posting details of the said Medical Officer at the time of joining the Medical and Health Services.
4. The number of X-ray machines currently available at CHC Vindhyachal specifying how many are in working condition and how many are non-functional.
5. The guidelines and protocols followed in preparing medical examination reports for police cases along with the precautions taken to ensure accuracy and impartiality.
6. Details of any departmental action taken against the concerned Medical Officer for allegedly submitting a misleading report that may have resulted in miscarriage of justice.

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4. Prayer / Relief Sought

The Appellant requests the Honorable First Appellate Authority FAA to kindly take cognizance of the deemed refusal of information by the PIO CMO Mirzapur. The FAA is prayed to pass an immediate speaking order under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act 2005 directing the PIO to:

Furnish the complete accurate and point-wise information for all six questions sought in the original RTI application DIRMH/R/2025/66431 within a maximum period of 10 days.

If applicable impose a penalty on the PIO under Section 20 of the Act for the unexcused delay/failure to provide information within the statutory time limit.

#MedicalNegligence #RTI #FightForJustice #Transparency #Accountability

Mirzapur police is not registering FIR of Mahima Maurya is reflection of justice

SHO Vindhyachal is not registering FIR of Mahima Maurya belonging weaker section