Bhubaneswar: Days after commissionerate police issued a lookout circular against SUM Hospital owner Manoj Nayak and his wife Saswati Das, the police are yet to arrest the latter who has a passport and can easily flee the country.
The police had issued the lookout circular against Nayak and Das after they went absconding in the wake of the massive fire at SUM Hospital which killed at least 25 people October 17. On being asked whether attempts are being made to nab Das, Khandagiri IIC Sarat Kumar Sahu told Orissa POST they are investigating the matter.
Sources said Nayak was in touch with top cops before he surrendered in the intervening night of October 19 and 20. “Though the cops are questioning SUM vice chancellor and visit departments to collect various documents, they are yet to arrest Das, who is one of the trustees,” they added.
Earlier, commissionerate police officials told this newspaper that a lookout circular was issued against Nayak and Das as the duo has passports and they could easily flee India. Khandagiri police Monday approached Director of Medical Education and Training officials and sought documents on the registration of the hospital.
Khandagiri IIC and other officials visited DMET to request its officials to hand over license-related documents of SUM Hospital which will help them probe the mishap in the health centre.
“We went to DMET and sought documents of SUM Hospital. We also went to fire department office in Kalpana area and asked officials to share with us the documents of the health centre,” Sahu told Orissa POST.
DMET officials assured commissionerate police that they would cooperate in the probe and hand over all necessary documents to them.
Earlier, DMET had filed a complaint with Khandagiri police alleging that the hospital was operating without valid registration. DMET had reportedly mentioned in its complaint that SUM Hospital had no effective fire fighting and fire controlling mechanisms which led to the death of such a large number of people.
Earlier in the day, Khandagiri police questioned SUM vice chancellor Amit Banerjee in connection with the case. Sources said police might apprehend the vice chancellor if he is found liable.
Meanwhile, a court here will hear Nayak’s bail plea. Nayak is currently lodged in Jharpada jail till October 25. In another related development, the revenue divisional commissioner (RDC) Monday began investigation into the SUM fire. RDC (Central) AB Ota told media that general public can file affidavits regarding the incident.
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