India summons Irish envoy, conveys "angst" over Savita's death

 Public probe sought over Savita Halappanavar's death

-Press Trust of India: 
New Delhi, India today summoned the Irish Ambassador to convey its "concern and angst" over the untimely and tragic death of an Indian dentist in Ireland after doctors allegedly refused to terminate her 17-week-long pregnancy on the ground that it was a "Catholic country".

In his response, the Ambassador assured that it was Ireland's desire to provide the fullest cooperation in the follow-up inquiries into the circumstances of Savita Halappanavar's death.

Madhusudan Ganapathi, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, summoned Irish Ambassador Feilim McLaughlin. "During his meeting with the Irish Ambassador, Secretary (West) expressed India's concern and angst in the society about the untimely and tragic death of Halappanavar. He said that we were unhappy that a young life had come to an untimely end," official sources said.

The secretary also expressed the hope that the inquiry which has been instituted would be independent and that the Indian Ambassador in Dublin would be provided with information regarding its progress and outcome.

"The Irish Ambassador assured that it was their desire to provide the fullest cooperation of the Irish side in the follow-up inquiries into the circumstances of the death of Halappanavar. He also indicated that the terms of reference for the inquiry are being framed and would be released shortly," the sources said.

Meanwhile, the matter is also being taken up by Indian Ambassador in Ireland with the Irish government.

Halappanavar, 31, died in Ireland due to blood poisoning after doctors allegedly refused to terminate her 17-week-long pregnancy, telling her that "this is a Catholic country".

Savita's husband Praveen Halappanavar, an engineer at Boston Scientific in Galway, told the Irish media that his wife had asked several times over a three-day period that the pregnancy be terminated.

This was refused, he said, because the foetal heartbeat was still present and they were told "this is a Catholic country".