MP High Court slams Govt over lack of FIR in rat bite deaths case

Indore: Following the deaths of two newborns at Indore’s Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital, allegedly after being bitten by rats in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the Madhya Pradesh High Court has raised concerns about why no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in the matter.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that amid the rat bite controversy at Indore's government-run Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital, where two newborns died after being gnawed upon by rats inside the NICU, the MGM Medical College authorities removed the head of the pediatric surgery department, and the state government suspended a doctor.

Also Read:HoD Paediatric Surgery removed, doctor suspended amid MY Hospital rat bite controversy

A division bench comprising Justices Vivek Rusia and Binod Kumar, which had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident, has now directed the state government to explain why an FIR has not been registered despite the gravity of the allegations.

In a significant directive aimed at addressing the underlying infrastructure issues, the court ordered the Public Works Department to provide comprehensive information on multiple aspects of the hospital infrastructure. The court specified five key areas requiring detailed replies: “Condition of the building of Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Hospital, Indore / MGM (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial) Medical College, both internal and external. (ii) The life expectancy of the buildings. (iii) Condition of the drainage system. (iv) Condition of electrification. (v) How much budget would be required from the government for improvements?” reports, Indian Express.

Furthermore, the court instructed the department to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR), either through its executive engineer or by engaging a consultancy agency, to assess the renovation, repair, and maintenance needs for the buildings, hostel quarters, and other facilities.

The court also took note of recent administrative changes at MGM Medical College. Previously under the Revenue Commissioner, the college is now under the Commissioner of Health, who has also been vested with disciplinary authority over the institution.

Also Read:Probe launched into alleged rat bite deaths at Indore Hospital

Despite this defense, the hospital did acknowledge systemic failures, including shortages of medical staff and poor infrastructure maintenance, particularly by the Public Works Department.

Following the incident, the hospital has taken several corrective measures. The court recorded that the contract for pest control with HLL Infra Tech Services Limited (HITES) had been terminated, and disciplinary action had been taken against the nursing staff involved in the incident.