Fatal Overdose: Two Hyderabad Auto Drivers Die After Injecting Stolen Surgical Anesthesia Drug

Two auto rickshaw drivers in Hyderabad lost their lives after self-administering an overdose of a surgical anesthesia drug. The deceased individuals were discovered in a parked auto rickshaw beneath a flyover in the Chandrayangutta area approximately one week ago. At the scene, authorities recovered syringes and an ampoule of Atranium 25 mg, a muscle relaxant typically used during surgical procedures.

Police investigations revealed that on December 2, Jahangir Khan (25) and Syed Irfan (29), who reportedly had a history of substance abuse, attempted to obtain an injection. They specifically requested a drug called 'Termin' from a friend, which appears to be a street name for a habit-forming substance.

When their requested drug was not available, an acquaintance arranged for Atranium ampoules instead, acquiring them through an illegal supplier. Khan, Irfan, and another friend gathered near the flyover where they proceeded to inject themselves with this powerful anesthetic.

Due to the high potency and unknown dosage of the prescription muscle relaxant, both Irfan and Khan collapsed almost immediately and died at the location from what appears to be an overdose. Their companion, who had administered only a small dose, survived the incident and regained consciousness shortly after.

The investigation uncovered that the anesthesia drug had been stolen from a private hospital, highlighting a serious breach in the management of controlled substances. Police have arrested three individuals and filed charges against a neurosurgeon and his assistant for negligence.

The neurosurgeon, who serves as the chairman and managing director of a private hospital, had requested multiple vials of Atranium for a surgery performed on November 26. According to police reports, following the procedure, both the doctor and his surgical assistant failed to properly secure the remaining controlled drug vials, leaving them unattended in the operating theater, which constitutes a clear violation of hospital protocol.

A ward boy employed at the same hospital, identified as Choude Akash, discovered the unsecured vials and admitted to stealing a package containing four Atranium ampoules.

The ward boy subsequently sold the stolen injections to another individual, who through a chain of distributors, eventually sold them to the deceased auto rickshaw drivers.

The arrested individuals have been charged with offenses including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.