Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 24 (ANI): An FIR has been registered against nine people, including sacked principal of Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College, in connection with the deaths of over 70 children, due to alleged lack of oxygen supply, the police said today. Also Read - Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Meets Bollywood Personalities Over Film City in Uttar Pradesh's Noida

The company responsible for the supply of liquid oxygen, M/s Pushpa Sales, has also been named in the FIR, while the state government has transferred Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education Anita Bhatnagar Jain, an official spokesperson said. Also Read - This University Postpones Medical Examinations at The Last-Minute | Details Inside

Earlier on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered for a strict action against the hospital staff and Pushpa Sales Pvt. Ltd., the firm that had allegedly cut off oxygen supply over non-payment of dues, after he was briefed about the Gorakhpur tragedy by a committee that he formed for looking into the matter. Also Read - 2,500 Visitors in One Shift, Online Booking | Taj Mahal Set to Reopen From Monday After 6 Months

The report of the Chief Secretary’s Committee, was presented to Adityanath, and catered towards suggestions and improvements for the better working conditions in hospitals in Gorakhpur and other districts.

The committee included Ashok Kumar – Secretary of Health and welfare, Mukesh Mittal – Joint Secretary, and Dr. Hem Chandra, the Medical Superintendent.

In a press release issued, the government stated that all recommendations of the probe committee have been accepted.

It further said that the committee has recommended registration of criminal cases against former principal of BRD Medical College, Dr. Rajeev Mishra; Dr. Satish, in-charge of oxygen supply and head of anesthesia department; Dr. Khan, in-charge of the 100-bed AES ward; and Pushpa Sales.

Dr. Kafeel Khan, who was in-charge of the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) ward, when children died on August 10 and 11, will face the maximum action.

The committee had recommended action under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Dr. Mishra, his wife Dr. Purnima Shukla, and Gajanan Jaiswal, the medical college’s chief pharmacist.

Adityanath had also ordered a disciplinary action against Dr. Mishra, Dr. Satish, Dr. Khan, Gajanan and an accountant for dereliction in duty and behaviour against rules laid down for the staff.

According to the government, directions have also been issued to register another case of criminal investigation against Dr. Khan for allegedly hiding facts in the affidavit he submitted to the Chief Medical Officer of Gorakhpur, and for working in violation of rules of the Indian Medical Council.

The panel has recommended a special audit by the CAG into supply of medicines and chemicals in the medical college for the last three years.

The government has already suspended Dr. Mishra and Purnima Shukla.

Five points were ordered that are to be considered in the investigation, which are:

-Events and full background on the incident be covered

-Reasons and factors for the children’s death

-People and authorities responsible for the incident

-Strict action and investigation against the accused

-Instantaneous and suggestions to stop incidents like these to happen in the future

Adityanath has told the Chief Secretary that a tatkal enquiry be instilled against all the accused and added that none of the accused be spared.

The Chief Minister also said that no medical college, hospital or clinic should be short of any kind of medical facilities such as medicines, chemical or medical equipments.

The investigation result was presented by the Committee on August 20 with detailed information keeping in mind that incidents like these not happen in future.

Many suggestions and implementations were presented, such as:

-Under Japanese encephalitis program diploma of child health and pedestrian intensive care unit should also be taken care of at Clinics and Medical colleges.

-The senior and junior residents should be briefed and intensive care be provided to the children’s section with new born pedestrian intensive care unit facility be provided in hospitals, adding that the state should provide child care unit in every hospital.

-An administrative framework should also be provided to the people.

The suggestions and implementations are to be followed by all the government based hospitals and clinics.

The Gorakhpur hospital tragedy left over 70 children dead due to alleged shortage of oxygen supply. (ANI)

This is published unedited from the ANI feed.