In New Delhi, a court dismissed the bail plea of Dr. Akash, an ayurvedic doctor, involved in the tragic hospital fire on May 25 that killed seven newborns and injured five. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vidhi Gupta Anand, overseeing the case, criticized the doctor for working in the most critical ward despite his ayurvedic background.
The court found Dr. Akash’s defense, that the infants died of suffocation and not burns, to be “highly insensitive.” Furthermore, the court rejected his counsel’s argument that he was a trainee and should be lauded for his efforts to save the children.
“Despite knowing that he was entitled to practice only in Haryana as a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) doctor as per the certificate of the Medical Council of Haryana, accused Dr. Akash willingly started working in the most-sensitive zone of the hospital, i.e., the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit,” the court noted.
The court highlighted that Dr. Akash’s involvement went beyond training, as he provided treatment and gave prescriptions to the infants. The court also criticized his actions during the fire, noting that instead of calling the police or fire services, Dr. Akash contacted the hospital owner, Dr. Naveen Khichi, wasting crucial time that could have saved lives.
The court underscored the severity of the alleged offenses, citing the need for a detailed investigation into several aspects, including Dr. Akash’s supervisory role, his prescriptions, and the delay in emergency calls. The court expressed concern over the potential for the doctor to flee or influence witnesses, thus justifying the denial of bail.
The court advised that the accused must approach a higher court for bail. Dr. Akash and Dr. Naveen Khichi were arrested on May 26 and placed in judicial custody for 14 days starting May 30. The hospital, Baby Care New Born Child Hospital, allegedly operated with an expired license and without fire department clearance. A case has been registered under IPC sections 336 (endangering life or personal safety), 304A (causing death by negligence), 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide).
