Maharashtra deaths: Nanded hospital dean, doctors booked for culpable homicide

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Nanded Police on Thursday registered a case against the Dean and doctors of the Delivery Department of the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital following the deaths of 31 patients in the health facility in two days allegedly due to scarcity of medicines.

ANI reported that a FIR has been registered against them under Sections 304 and 34 of the IPC.

A total of 24 patients, including newborns, were reported dead between September 30 and October 1 while seven more deaths were reported on Tuesday.

Relatives of the deceased patients have alleged a shortage of medicines and negligence on the part of the hospital authorities.

Maharashtra's Minister of Medical Education, Hasan Mushrif on Tuesday said a thorough investigation will be conducted into the deaths and a committee of doctors will be formed to conduct the probe.

The Dean of Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital Nanded had previously rejected allegations of negligence against the hospital on Tuesday, claiming that deceased patients were suffering from different ailments such as diabetes, liver failure, and kidney failure.

Also read: Maharashtra: Shiv Sena MP Hemant Patil booked for making Nanded hospital dean clean toilet

Dean Shyamrao Wakode said that there was no shortage of medicines or doctors, and the patients were given proper care, but their bodies did not respond to the treatment.

He also said that some of the patients were suffering from arsenic and phosphorus poisoning, snake bites etc.

On Tuesday, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called for a detailed investigation into the case saying the incident was "extremely painful, serious and worrying". Recalling a similar incident that happened in Thane two months ago, Kharge said 18 patients lost their lives and such accidents raise questions about the health system of the state government.

On Wednesday, Police booked Shiv Sena MP Hemant Patil after he allegedly made the Dean of Shankarrao Chavan Medical College, clean the toilet. A First Information Report has been filed at Nanded Gramin police station.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police of Nanded, Sushil Kumar Naik, the police have registered the case under the charges of criminal intimidation and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, ANI reported. (Agencies)