Suspended Gorakhpur Medical College doctor arrested

Fifteen days after being booked in connection with the death of 30 children allegedly owing to shortage of oxygen, suspended former in-charge of the Encephalitis Ward at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur Dr Kafeel Khan, who had been absconding, was nabbed on Saturday.

According to the police sources Kafeel, who suspected to have fled to Nepal, was apprehended from the house a relative at Sahajanwan area in Gorakhpur district. 

A non-bailable warrant (NBW) had been issued against Khan and seven others after they absconded following registration of cases against them. The special task force (STF) of the state police had conducted raids at the possible hideouts of the doctor but he could not be apprehended. 

Sources in the police, however, said that Khan was arrested



from the house of his relative in the state capital on Friday night. He had been hiding there after registration of a case against him. Khan has been charged with laxity and criminal negligence.

Police sources here said that a massive manhunt had been launched to nab the other culprits.

Earlier the principal of the medical college Dr Rajiv Kumar Mishra, who was suspended after the incident, and his wife Dr Purnima were arrested by the STF from Kanpur town.

30 children, mostly new born, had died allegedly owing to shortage of oxygen at the hospital in a period of 36-hours on August 10 and 11.

As many as six Medical college officials, including its principal, were suspended. FIRs have also been lodged against six officials in this connection.