New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an independent probe into the tragic incident at a hospital in Nashik, in which 24 COVID-19 patients on life support died after the leak of oxygen of a tank.
The plea filed by Mumbai-based NGO "Save them India Foundation" sought an independent probe into the incident by a three-member Inquiry Commission headed by a retired SC Judge and two retired HC judges.
The petitioner also alleged that the incident was the result of the negligent action of the hospital authorities, demanding registration of a First Information Report in the matter under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 304A (Causing death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code.
As many as 24 Covid-19 patients, who were on life support system, died in Nashik’s Dr. Zakir Hussain Hospital on Wednesday owing to an acute shortage of oxygen following massive leakage of the gas from an oxygen tank.
Attributing the cause of the tragedy to a valve malfunction in the oxygen storage tank, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope had said that a probe to ascertain negligence into the incident has been ordered.
At the time of the incident, 157 patients were undergoing treatment at the hospital, of whom 61 were in a critical condition and required oxygen.
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