SC rejects plea seeking SIT probe into Gorakhpur deaths

Refusing to take cognisance, court says officials were handling issue

NEWDELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to take cognisance of the recent deaths of children at a government hospital at Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh. The bench comprising of Chief Justice of India JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud asked the lawyer, who mentioned the issue before it, to approach the Allahabad high court with his grievances.

The lawyer has also sought a Special Investigation Team (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 since 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 (ICU). 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.

POLICE SAID NO CASE HAS BEEN REGISTERED SO FAR IN THE ABSENCE OF A FORMAL COMPLAINT