NHRC sends notice to Uttar Pradesh government

The National Human Rights Commission has sent a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over the deaths of over 60 children in Baba Raghav Das Medical College and Hospital. It sought a report from the government within four weeks.

Earlier today, as the state mourns the deaths of several children, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the state authorities to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami in a "grand" way. In a communique issued late on Sunday to the Director General of Police (DGP) Sulkhan Singh, Adityanath said: "Krishna Janmashtami is an important festival and the police should organise it in a traditional and grand way."

On Sunday, hours after his visit to the Baba Raghav Das Medical College, along with Union Minister J P Nadda, Dr Kafeel Khan was removed as the Nodal Officer for the paediatrics department citing "negligence of duty". Dr Bhupendra Sharma has been appointed as the in-charge of the ward where the deaths took place.

Adityanath promised strict action against those responsible. "The guilty will not be spared and such strict action would be taken by the Uttar Pradesh government that it would set an example for people to work with discipline," said Adityanath.

The Supreme Court today refused to take cognisance of the recent deaths of children at a government hospital at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud asked the lawyer, who mentioned the issue before it, to approach the Allahabad High Court with his grievances.

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

The court observed 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 on August 7, many for want of oxygen whose supply was disrupted after bills were not paid to the vendor.

At least 30 children were reported dead in the last two days alone. Many of the victims were infants who perished in the neo-natal intensive care unit.

Police had said no case has been registered so far in the absence of a formal complaint.

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.