Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Oct 19:

Now, as if the bundle of woes for the beleaguered Sum Hospital in the Odisha capital after the fire mishap in which 21 persons have been killed and over 100 injured were not enough, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Black Money has directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to examine the financial transactions of the institution.

Enforcement-Directorate

The SIT on Black Money has also directed the state’s DG Police to extend cooperation to the ED in its investigation, revealed sources at the state police headquarters here.

The DGP has been asked to see to it that documents/evidence with regard to the Hospital’s financial transactions are not tampered/destroyed, sources added.

"We have received a letter from the SIT, asking us to cooperate with the ED to probe into the money transactions of Sikshya O Anusandhan Charitable Trust," said Director General of Police K.B. Singh.

It is worthwhile to mention here that already two criminal cases have been registered against the hospital management in connection with the fire mishap at the hospital on Monday evening.

Four officials of the hospital were arrested by the police yesterday on the basis of an FIR filed by the Fire Officer (Central Range) at the Khandagiri police station.

While Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central) has begun probing the incident on orders from the Chief Minister, Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) Prakash Chandra Mohapatra who had also lodged an FIR against the hospital authorities yesterday alleging willful negligence and negligence in the evacuation of patients today hinted that the promoter of the hospital Dr. Manoj Nayak could be arrested.

It may be recalled that 19 patients undergoing treatment at the hospital died due to asphyxiation owing to the massive fire 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.