“My firm supplies gas to the hospital. I do not know if people died because of the gas supplied by my company or because of medical negligence. I have the contract papers and there hasn’t been any irregularity or favouritism while obtaining the contract,” said Bajpai on the phone from Allahabad.

A senior journalist, on the condition of anonymity, said that the VC of BHU, GC Tripathi, is the man behind deal. RSS sympathiser Tripathi, who was earlier with Allahabad University, is known to have an extremely close relationship with Bajpai’s family.

Alleging political conspiracy, Bajpai said his firm was awarded contract after due diligence. Refusing to comment on the RTI response, he said, “I have all the documents, papers related to the contract. My doors are always open to who so ever wants to see the papers and investigate the case.”

We tried to reach out to the Medical superintendent of the Sunder Lal (SSL) Hospital, OP Upadhyay to verify whether tenders were invited or not but he could not be reached out. He did not respond messages.

A media website mediavigil.com has claimed that the contract to supply nitrous oxide to the hospital was earlier given to the international firm Linde but it was revoked in April and the contract was subsequently awarded to the Bajpai’s firm Parerhat Industries Private Limited.

A medical expert told in the condition of anonymity that Linde had the expertise and infrastructure to produce nitrous oxide that can be used for medical purpose but after endorsement from Tiwari, hospital administration had revoked the Linde contract, only to award to Bajpai’s firm.