A suspected short circuit in the children’s hospital in the Vivek Vihar area, Delhi went on to claim the lives of seven newborn infants. Atul Garg, Chief of Delhi Fire Services, reported that the fire broke out on Saturday night around 11:30 pm, following which twelve fire tenders were rushed to the hospital. Despite the immediate rush, seven newborns lost their lives during treatment and five were rescued and treated in the nearby hospital.
The unparalleled negligence & shocking irregularities claimed innocent lives
Delhi Police said that the Baby Care New Born Child Hospital had no emergency exits or fire extinguishers which amplified the situation. Even the doctor on duty, while the incident happened wasn’t qualified to treat the newborns in need of neo-natal incentive care.
ALSO Read: Welding Sparks Ignite TRP Game Zone Fire, Inflammable… (newsstreetasia.com)
The negligence doesn’t end here. The hospital illegally running without any license, as it expired two months ago. The number of oxygen cylinders stored was more than the permitted number, which began to explode when the blaze started and intensified the fire in the hospital. It was also revealed that the license allowed for only five beds, but the hospital undoubtedly had more infants during the time of the incident.
Magisterial Inquiry | PM Modi’s ex-gratia Grant
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the children’s hospital fire case. Dr Naveen Khichi, owner of Baby Care Child Hospital along with the doctor on duty was arrested by the Delhi Police on Sunday.
A case has been registered at Vivek Vihar police station, after taking into the record shocking irregularities at the hospital under IPC sections 336 (act endangering life and personal safety of others), 304A (causing death by negligence), 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide).
ALSO Read: The Killer Porsche: Bail Stands Cancelled, The Teenage Boy (newsstreetasia.com)
PM Narendra Modi expressed his condolences by claiming the incident to be ‘heart-rending’ and announcing an ex-gratia of INR 2 Lakh, from the PMRNF for the next of kin of each deceased. He further added that a grant of INR 50,000 will be given to those injured. Other important dignitaries including Arvind Kejriwal, President Murmu, and Smriti Irani all expressed their heartfelt condolences on the incident.
About Author
This Article has been written by Ms Anuja Choudhary, a public policy enthusiast and Masters in Philosophy from LSR, DU. With a keen eye for authenticity, she is currently honing her craft as a writer to pen down the voices with utmost sincerity and integrity.
