Dr Kafeel Khan, arrested in connection with the death of over 70 infants at Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College Hospital, Gorakhpur last year, walked free yesterday.
The court found the doctor not guilty on the charge of responsible for the death of over 70 infants due to the lack of oxygen supply in the hospital.
Speaking to the media, Dr Khan said that he wishes to join the hospital and continue serving people, if the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath cancels his suspension.
“There were times when I used to think that what wrong have I done to be in jail. My future plans depend on CM Yogi, if he revokes my suspension I’ll join the hospital again and continue serving people,” he said.
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Dr Khan said he is finally relieved to be back with his family after eight months, even though he is mentally tired, emotionally drained and physically sick.
He was arrested after a national outcry over the death of scores of infants at the BRD Medical College Hospital in September 2017.
In August 2017, as many as 70 children died, allegedly due to lack of oxygen supply, followed by another 70 in just four days, 15 of whom passed away due to Encephalitis. The hospital, as well as the government, had received flak over the negligence.
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FIRs were registered against nine persons including the suspended principal of the medical college, Dr Rajiv Mishra, Dr Satish, in-charge of oxygen supply and head of the anaesthesia department, Dr Khan, in-charge of the 100-bed AES (acute encephalitis syndrome) ward and two officials from the oxygen supplying agency the Pushpa Sales Private Limited.
Khan was also reportedly accused of stealing oxygen cylinders for his private clinic from the BRD hospital. It was found out later during the investigation that the suppliers had stopped supplying the cylinders after the hospital stopped clearing their bills for some time due to lack of funds.