SC refuses to take cognisance of UP hospital tragedy

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to take suo moto cognizance of the recent deaths of children at a government hospital at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

A bench of Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud told Rajashree Shetty, the lawyer, who mentioned the issue before it, to approach the Allahabad High Court with the grievances.

The lawyer has also sought an SIT probe into the deaths of children at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College (BRD) hospital.

The court said that the authorities were handling the situation and the grievances, if any, have to be raised before the high court concerned.

Over 60 children have reportedly died at BRD Medical College Hospital since August 7, many for want of oxygen whose supply was disrupted after bills were not paid to the vendor.

The state government had on August 12 ordered an official inquiry by the chief secretary and suspended the principal of the Medical College Hospital Rajiv Mishra as well as removed Dr Kafeel Khan, in charge of the unit.