Gorakhpur kids’ death: Dr Kafeel sacked

Dr Kafeel Khan

Paediatrician Kafeel Khan of Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College and Hospital, Uttar Pradesh, who had been suspended in 2017 after the death of 70 children due to oxygen shortage, has been dismissed, a government official said on Thursday.

Dr Khan was sacked after a probe into the circumstances leading to children's death found him guilty, said UP Principal Secretary (Medical Education) Alok Kumar. As the matter is sub judice, the detailed information about his dismissal will be given to the court, he added.

Dr Khan had been attached to the office of Director General Medical Education (DGME) after his suspension on August 22, 2017. Expressing surprise over the reports of his dismissal, Dr Khan, said he does not know how he has been terminated despite the court giving him a clean chit earlier. He added that he has not received any termination letter yet.

"I was suspended on August 22, 2017, and on March 5, 2019, the Allahabad High court had asked the UP government to end the inquiry and on April 18, 2019, the HC had given me a clean chit," Dr Khan said. "When I was in jail, the UP government again set up an inquiry against me on February 24, 2020, and on August 6, 2021, the state government declared in front of the court that they are withdrawing the inquiry order of the then Chief Secretary Himanshu Kumar," Dr Khan said.

"On November 10, 2021, there was a date in the court but the government did not submit any papers regarding termination. The next court date is on December 7, 2021. I have no hope of justice from this government," he added.

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