Court grants bail to doctor, 3 staff nurses held in Ahmednagar hospital fire case

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2021-11-21T10:00:33+05:30 | Updated On 21 Nov 2021 10:00 AM IST

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Ahmednagar: The post-graduate medical student and 3 staff nurses arrested in connection with the fire in the ICU of the Ahmednagar civil hospital have been granted bail by a court in Ahmednagar on Friday.

Ahmednagar district judge M R Natu granted bail to the doctor along with the nurses on a surety and personal bond of Rs 25,000 each.

The arrest of the healthcare professionals under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 304A (causing death by negligence) after a major fire in the facility killing 11 people was followed by massive outcry.

Previously Medical Dialogues reported that the doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff of the civil hospital in Ahmednagar went on a strike protesting against the arrest of a medical officer and three other staff nurses under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 304A (causing death by negligence). They were produced on the district court on November 24th.

This came in wake of the incident on November 6, the Ahmednagar district civil surgeon and three other health officials were suspended and the services of two staff nurses were also terminated. Later, authorities agreed to revoke the suspension of the doctor only.

Also Read: Suspension of doctor arrested in Ahmednagar hospital fire case revoked

Speaking to TOI, Dr Shinde's lawyer, Yohan Makasare, said the judge heard all four bail applications together. "I told the court that Dr Shinde has been working as a resident at the civil hospital, doing her internship as part of her post-graduation in orthopaedics. She was not a state government employee on its payroll. She had paid Rs 2 lakh as fees for doing her internship at the hospital," he said.

Ahmednagar superintendent of police Manoj Patil confirmed that the court has granted bail to the doctor and three nurses. "Police do not require their further custody. Our investigations are on. We will summon them during the course of the investigation if needed," he said.

Makasare also informed that as the order came after 5 pm in the evening, they will be released on Saturday morning. He further informed that though the bail has been granted they have been instructed to cooperate with the investigation and wouldn't tamper with the prosecution witnesses.

The doctors' organizations expressed their happiness over the release of the doctor and the nurses. Dr Sachin Vahadane, secretary, IMA-Ahmednagar, told The Indian Express, "We will meet Dr Shinde's family and the nurses' association tomorrow (Saturday). We are already in talks with the state government to revoke the charges." Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, IMA's former national president, said the "young resident doctor's entire career is in jeopardy due to the police case and arrest." He said the State health minister and department officials apart from PWD officials should be held accountable for the deaths.

The father of the accused doctor, Rajendra Popat Shinde told the daily, "I just want to get my daughter home. She is already extremely scared and nervous. We need to make her stand on her feet again as the battle isn't over yet…the road ahead will be more challenging."We will celebrate when my daughter will be clear of the charges," he added.

Extending support to the three accused nurses, hospital supervisor Indira Dulguch said they were "at the forefront of helping patients and their relatives who had crowded the area." She said that the permanent nurse was the one who first raised a hue about the incident. Shhe stated that she was sitting just outside the ICU ward when the nurse shouted and alerted the security, Fire Brigade, doctors and the entire staff."

"We all surrounded the ICU and tried to break its windows. Some of the security personnel entered the ICU ward. The nurses tried to douse the fire with the fire extinguishers available in the ICU but their efforts proved futile as the fire had turned into an inferno. It was pitch dark and there was smoke everywhere. The false ceiling of the ICU had also started falling on those entering the ward," the supervisor said.

According to a daily, the president of the Maharashtra Arogya Paricharika Sanghatna, a nurses' association also pointed that the nurses have been working there for 10 years and 5 years respectively and they were currently serving in the facility on a contractual basis for 11 months. "Injustice has been done to those who were not even remotely connected to the fire. That's why we will fight for the three nurses," said Andhale. Meanwhile, a committee probing into the fire will submit its report by November 26, state health officials said.

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Source : with inputs

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.