Judicial Probe Begins Into SCB Medical Fire TragedyThat Killed 12 in Odisha
Bureau,Odishabarta
Cuttack:A judicial inquiry officially commenced on Monday into the tragic fire incident at the Trauma ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack, which claimed the lives of 12 patients earlier this year.
The judicial probe into the deadly fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital commenced on Monday, marking a crucial step in establishing accountability for one of the state’s worst hospital tragedies in recent years.
A retired High Court judge, appointed by the Odisha government, reached the SCB campus earlier in the day and began recording statements from staff and officials at the office of the medical college principal, sources said.
The fire, which broke out on March 16 inside the Trauma Care ICU, claimed the lives of 12 patients and triggered widespread concern over safety standards in public healthcare facilities. In the immediate aftermath, the state government ordered a judicial inquiry to determine the exact cause and fix responsibility.
Prior to this, a fact-finding team led by Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh had inspected the site and flagged alleged lapses. Acting on its preliminary findings, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered the suspension of four officials over suspected negligence.
Those suspended include Deputy Fire Officer Prakash Jena, Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeeb Kumar Behera, Station Officer Abhinav Prusty and Assistant Executive Engineer Ranjan Kumar Biswal.
The inquiry is expected to examine these lapses in detail and recommend further action
#image courtesyTNIE
