Kokata, January 27: senior doctors of AMRI Hospital, Dr. Mani Chettri and Dr. Pranab Dasgupta have been taken into custody today in connection with the death of 93 people. They are members of the hospital board. The arrest followed extensive police interrogation. Earlier 6 board members were arrested on 10 December, 2011 on charges of culpable homicide.
Earlier, in connection with the arrests made in connection with the hospital fire, FCCi, the industry lobby had made a recommendation to the West Bengal government for the release of the arrested directors of the board. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, rejected the directive and stated that law must take its own course, without any denial of justice.
“A business house had requested me not to take any action against them (AMRI directors). But it is not correct. We want industry. But we don’t want industry which kills people,” said Ms. Banerjee.
The fire that engulfed the AMRI Hospital on 9 December, 2011 resulted in the death of 93 people. They included 898 patients and 4 staff members of the hospital. The kin of those who perished, had filed legal suits against the hospital for negligence of safety norms. Following the fire, the compensatory amount of Rs 3 lakh for the family members of victims was provided to the members by the West Bengal government.
—Agencies