Mahima
The Nashik Police lodged an FIR under Section 304A (inflicting loss of life by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code against unnamed people for the oxygen tank leak mishap at Dr. Zakir Hussain Hospital.
The mishap claimed the lives of 24 Covid-19 patients as their oxygen supply was interrupted.
The Bombay High Court commented that the mishap was a matter of concern as such incidents couldn’t have occurred in a civilised society.
The FIR states that the leak causing death of Covid-19 patients was caused by callousness and carelessness of the unnamed accused.
The 13 kilo litre tank was arranged by Taiyo Nippon Sanso Private Limited as part of a contract awarded by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to set up such tanks on a rental basis in two Covid-19 facilities.
As per the contract, NMC had to pay Rs. 1.62 crore for renting the tanks and Rs. 2 crore for refilling them over a period of 10 years.
The tank was installed at the Nashik hospital was being used since last 21 days before the unfortunate event occurred due to malfunction in one of its valves.
The police have appointed three teams to record statements of the victims, hospital officials and employees of the company who were responsible for maintaining the tank and refilling it.
Along with Nashik Police’s investigation, the Maharashtra government has also set up a seven-member inquiry committee for investigating the incident, headed by Nashik Divisional Commissioner Radhakrishna Game.
The BJP-ruled NMC, through NMC Standing Committee Chairman and BJP corporator Ganesh Gite, also announced its independent investigation into the incident.