Probe stuck as civic body, police spar

MUMBAI: Seven months after 32-year-old Rajesh Maru lost his life after carrying an oxygen cylinder into the MRI room of Nair Hospital, the investigation is stuck because of confusion between the Agripada police and the civic body. While the police said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials have not submitted the inquiry report despite three reminders, the civic body said the preliminary inquiry report was submitted in April.

Maru, a Lalbaug resident, was sucked into the MRI machine on January 27. The police had earlier arrested Nair Hospital’s radiologist, ward boy and woman attendant for negligence, who were later released on bail. “We have already submitted the preliminary inquiry report which holds the MRI room’s ward boy and a help responsible. The CCTV footage clearly shows how both of them failed to prevent Maru from entering the room with the metallic object, especially when they were aware that all metallic objects are removed before entering an MRI room,” said Idzes Kundan, assistant municipal commissioner (health).

Kundan also said the preliminary inquiry was submitted in April and the police can proceed on that basis. “Now the only pending report is that of an internal inquiry, which has nothing to do with the legal proceedings.”

However, Savlaram Agawane, senior inspector, said, “We are awaiting the medical report based on which the charge sheet can be filed. The probe is on hold because of that,” said Agawane.

As per the law, a charge sheet should be filed within 90 days of the incident. As per the BMC’S procedure, inquiry reports should be included in charge sheets. SADAGURU PANDIT