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Delhi hospital fire: Owner Naveen Khichi, on-duty doctor Akash sent to 3-day police custody until May 30
The owner of a children's hospital in east Delhi, arrested a day after seven babies died due to a massive fire at his hospital, was today remanded to three-day police custody until May 30.
The court also sent Dr Akash, the on-duty doctor at the time of the incident, to a three-day police remand.
A case has been registered at Vivek Vihar police station under various sections, including 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide).
The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night at 11.30 pm, when a fire broke out at the New Born Baby Care Hospital.
After the incident, Khichi had absconded and was arrested on Sunday.
At the time of the incident, 12 babies were admitted to hospital. One baby died on the spot, and one died during treatment. Five were declared dead on arrival in another hospital. Five babies are undergoing treatment.
The Delhi police said that the licence of the neonatal hospital had expired in March, and underqualified doctors were treating babies.
Khichi is an MD in pediatrics and lives in Pachim Vihar area. He runs this hospital with his wife, Dr Jagriti, who is a dentist.
Reports said that Khichi has three clinics in the national capital.
In 2021, Khichi was reportedly booked for alleged mistreatment of a newborn during treatment at the children's hospital. According to India Today, it was also discovered in 2021 that the hospital was not registered under the Delhi Nursing Home Act.