Following a deadly fire at New Born Baby Care Hospital in Delhi, which claimed the lives of seven newborns, the hospital’s owner, Naveen Khichi, and a doctor present during the incident, Dr. Akash, have been sent to three-day police custody. This comes after Khichi, who initially absconded, was apprehended on Sunday.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night at 11:30 pm, leaving one infant dead on the spot and another succumbing to injuries during treatment. Five more newborns were pronounced dead on arrival at a different hospital. Five babies are currently undergoing treatment.
Investigations have revealed that the hospital’s license expired in March, and the doctors attending to the newborns were not qualified, holding only Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degrees. This raises serious concerns about the hospital’s practices and the safety of its patients.
In 2021, Khichi was reportedly booked for alleged mistreatment of a newborn at his children’s hospital. It was also discovered that the hospital was not registered under the Delhi Nursing Home Act.
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 to ascertain the full extent of negligence and wrongdoing.
