Padma Shri recipient's statement to be recorded as witness in Ahmednagar hospital fire case

He wanted a COVID-19 test report as he was scheduled to travel to Delhi to receive the Padma award.

"When the fire broke out, I called up the fire brigade and informed the collector," said Pawar.

District Superintendent of Police Manoj Patil later called him to know what exactly happened when the fire broke out, he said.

"I narrated the chain of events. I have not yet been called officially to record statement," said Pawar, who also serves as Executive Director of the Maharashtra government's Model Village Program.

Meanwhile, the suspension of resident doctor of the hospital Dr Vishakha Shinde has been revoked, a senior official said.

Shinde and three staff nurses were arrested by police for alleged negligence after the fire.

"The suspension of Dr Shinde was revoked as she is a postgraduate student and not a permanent government employee," said Dr B K Ramteke, civil surgeon.

Also Read: Bhopal Hospital Fire: 3 top medical officials removed from post