Fatal Delay: Patient Dies After Ambulance Halted for Minister's Convoy
A critically ill patient, Rasuraj Chakraborty, died after his ambulance was stopped for Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's convoy, sparking widespread outrage. Four police personnel were suspended, and while the CM denied a direct link to the death, he publicly apologized, condemning VIP culture and issuing directives to prevent future obstructions to emergency services.Rasuraj Chakraborty, a critically ill patient from Bangar in Sribhumi district, India, tragically lost his life on October 1, 2026, at Silchar Medical College and Hospital. His death occurred after the ambulance transporting him for advanced treatment was reportedly stopped by police to allow the convoy of Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, to pass. Chakraborty was suffering from a critical liver-related ailment and had been brought from Sribhumi to Silchar Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday after his condition became critical.
The incident, which took place at the Ramnagar ISBT point in Silchar, triggered widespread public outrage across Assam after footage of the stopped ambulance circulated on social media. In response to the public outcry, four police personnel linked to the incident were suspended.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the issue, asserting that the patient's death was not related to the brief halt of the ambulance for his convoy. He stated, “The patient was suffering from a critical liver ailment and his death is not related to the brief halt of the ambulance for a few seconds.” Despite this, Sarma issued a public apology, emphasizing that no inconvenience should be caused to people due to his or any minister’s movement. He explicitly stated that not only ambulances but all emergency services and the general public should not be stopped for a convoy, declaring that “The chief minister is merely a chief servant and in the new Assam there is no place for VIP culture.”
Sarma also claimed that he does not prefer travelling in a convoy, but such arrangements are typically made by deputy commissioners and police officers. Following the incident, the Chief Minister’s Office issued a directive to all district commissioners and senior Superintendents of Police, reiterating clear instructions that ambulances, fire tenders, and other emergency vehicles must not be obstructed during the passage of VIP car convoys. The order emphasized, “It is once again emphasised that under no circumstances should the movement of ambulances or other emergency vehicles be impeded on account of VIP motorcade arrangements.”