Gorakhpur tragedy: DM's report reveals children died due to oxygen crisis, holds 2 doctors responsible

New Delhi: In a major breakthrough in Gorakhpur tragedy, District Magistrate Rajeev Rautela in his report stated that the children admitted in the encephalitis ward at the BRD Medical College hospital died due to the shortage of oxygen. 

Rautela has blamed Anesthesia Department head Dr Satish Kumar, Principal RK Mishra as well as Oxygen Purchasing Committee President for the heart-wrenching incident. The report has also held supplier 'Pushpa Sales' responsible for the deaths, saying it should not have stopped the supply of liquid oxygen, as it was in the business of saving lives.

According to DM's reports, Dr Kafeel Khan was also equally responsible for the entire tragedy. Chief secretary Rajiv Kumar confirmed that he had received the DM’s report. 

A second inquiry conducted by the Chief Secretary will submit its initial report on August 20, Sunday. 

Earlier in the day, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Allahabad High Court seeking a judicial inquiry and restraining doctors from private practice at the BRD Hospital in Gorakhpur where 71 children lost their lives since August 7.

The PIL was filed by an advocate Suneeta Sharma and a social worker Kamlesh Singh is expected to be taken up for hearing before a bench on Friday.

As per the reports of PTI, the petitioners have blamed the deaths on 'carelessness' of the doctors at the hospital and further contended that although encephalitis claims many young lives every year there were no effective measures to contain the outbreak of the vector-borne disease. The petitioners also prayed for directions so that stern punishment was meted out to those held responsible for the deaths.

Leading daily Indian Express quoted the petitioners’ counsel K K Roy as saying, “We have raised the issue of the lack of proper investigation because the state government, which is currently investigating the case, has been denying a case of negligence. We are also raising the issue of lack of medical equipment and infrastructure at the BRD hospital, which has not been upgraded for years.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh had stated that it is a clear case of criminal negligence, if someone dies due to disruption in oxygen supply, adding that when Gorakhpur tragedy probe result comes, culprits won't be spared.

(With inputs from agencies)