Madhuri from Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sanghatan was arrested Thursday afternoon for protesting maternal care conditions in Barwani District, MP. The protests and legal advocacy have centered around the case of a pregnant women, Baniya Bai, who was refused treatment and forced to deliver in full public view just outside the Menimata Primary Health Center.

Baniya Bai, a Scheduled Tribe member traveled to Menimata Primary Health Center for delivery on the night of 11 November 2008. Baniya and her father-in-law Dalsingh made the 15 km journey on a bullock cart because no other transport was available. After admitting and taking a cursory look at her, the compounder, V.K. Chauhan, and nurse, Nirmala, left the PHC and went home.

The next morning, the compounder and nurse forced Baniya to leave the hospital. In violation of government schemes, the PHC staff asked her family for Rs. 100 (about 2 dollars). Her family did not have the funds and so Dalsing immediately went to get money from their village. Despite attempts to re-admit Baniya Bai to the PHC, the compounder flatly refused saying that the PHC could not manage the delivery so she would have to go to Barwani DH or Silawad Hospital.

Baniya’s relatives tried to get the Menimata hospital compounder, nurse and staff to call for the Janani Express (ambulance), but the vehicle did not arrive. The PHC staff told the family to make its own arrangements for travel to a higher hospital. When the facility finally ejected her, Baniya Bai crawled out of the labour room and on to the road outside the PHC, where she lay down in severe pain.

Eventually, Baniya’s mother-in-law, Suvali Bai, went looking for a Dai in the marketplace and found Jambai Nana, who had come to market collect her wages. After hearing about Baniya Bai’s situation, Jambai agreed to assist her, and at around 12PM, Jambai Nana conducted a normal delivery on the road outside the hospital. The father-in-law gave his dhoti (loin cloth) to provide cover for Baniya Bai during delivery. Following this incident, a crowd gathered outside the health centre.

Madhuri was passing by and inquired about what was happening. She then called up the Silawad Community Health Center, the Silawad Police Station, and health officials from Barwani. Upon being informed, senior officials from the health department ordered for a vehicle to be sent immediately to the Menimata PHC. After being denied emergency obstetric care and being forced to deliver in public view, Baniya Bai’s and her child were taken to the Silawad Hospital for admission. The compounder was suspended after repeated demands for action from JADS, but was soon reinstated.

Madhuri from Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sanghatan was arrested Thursday afternoon for protesting maternal care conditions in Barwani District, MP. The protests and legal advocacy have centered around the case of a pregnant women, Baniya Bai, who was refused treatment and forced to deliver in full public view just outside the Menimata Primary Health Center.

The case was filed against Madhuri, Baniya Bai’s Husband, Basant and others by the compounder and was registered as FIR No 93 of 2008. Madhuri and others had received a court notice to appear in the Court of Shri D.P. Singh Sewach on 16th May. Madhuri appeared and was informed that the police had filed a closure report (khatma) but had not stated clear reasons for the closure and therefore the report was refused. Madhuri was arrested from the court complex. She has been remanded in Judicial Custody until 30th May 2013 and will be placed in Khargone women’s Jail.

This case of Baniya Bai is also part of the writ petition filed in the High Court Of MP, Indore Bench regarding 29 maternal deaths recorded in a span of 9 months in Barwani District Hospital.