FIR registered against 2 nurses in Bhandara hospital fire case

Nearly 40 days after an incident of fire claimed the lives of 10 new-born babies in a government hospital at Bhandara in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, police have registered an FIR against two nurses on Thursday night.

The January 9 fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit of District General Hospital in Bhandara had rattled the hospital administration in the state – that is already fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also read — Bhandara hospital fire: Maharashtra govt suspends civil surgeon, acts against 6 others

The FIR was registered against Shubhangi Sathavane and Smita Ambildukhe, who were prima facie found negligent during the midnight when the fire took place.

A case under IPC section 304(2) (causing death by negligence) was registered against the duo, Director General of Police Hemant Nagrale said on Friday.

As many as 17 infants, aged one to three months, were admitted in the ward at the time of the tragedy. Fortunately, the fire brigade was able to save seven of them.

It may be recalled, earlier paediatrician Dr Sushil Ambade, Smita Ambilduke and Shubhangi Sathawane were terminated from service for negligence in duty. Besides, district civil surgeon Dr Pramod Khandate, the medical officer on duty Dr Archana Meshram and in-charge nurse Jyoti Bharaskar were suspended. Additional civil surgeon Dr Sunila Bade was transferred to a non-executive post.