Medical Supdt of Odisha’s Sum Hosp discharged from SCB

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Oct 20:

Medical Superintendent of Sum Hospital Puspa Raj Samantasinghar, who was arrested in connection with the fire mishap at the hospital, was today discharged from SCB Medical College and Hospital here a day after he was admitted due to chest pain.

Samantasinghar was later taken to Khandagiri police station, sources said.

He was yesterday admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Cardiology department of SCB Hospital after he complained of chest pain.

The Khandagiri police had on Tuesday arrested four staff of the SUM Hospital– Samantasinghar, Electrical Maintenance Engineer Amulya Sahu, Fire Safety Officer Santosh Das and Junior Engineer (Electrical Maintenance) Malaya Kumar Sahu.

The arrests were made on the basis of the FIR lodged by the Directorate of Fire Services. The FIR was lodged at the Khandagiri police station by B B Das, Fire Officer (Central Range).

They have been charged under sections 304, 308, 285 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

It may be recalled here that 19 patients undergoing treatment at the SUM Hospital had died due to asphyxiation owing to the massive fire on Monday that originated from the dialysis ward on the first floor and spread to the ICU on the same floor. In the incident, over 100 others sustained injuries and were shifted to various government and private hospitals. With three more relocated patients succumbing, the death toll due to the mishap has risen to 21.