Kendrapara: Tension prevailed at district headquarters hospital here when news spread that a newborn allegedly fell from the hands of a gynaecologist and died moments after its birth Friday.
The family members alleged carelessness by the doctor that led to the death of the baby. They lodged an FIR alleging that the child was killed by the doctor as they failed to fulfill the demand of the doctor, Sanjeev Kumar Mohanty, IIC of Kendrapara town police station, said.
According to Mohanty, Goutam Mallick, 26, of Matiparilo village under Mahanga police limits, Friday lodged an FIR alleging that his wife Jharana Mallick, 22, was admitted to district headquarters hospital Wednesday for delivery. Jharana developed pain in the wee hours of Friday.
Gynaecologist Dr Biranjan Swain, who was on duty, attended to his wife who gave birth to a boy. After some time, the newborn fell on the ground as it allegedly slipped from the hands of the doctor and died.
Jharana further alleged that the doctor demanded bribe from her husband and as the latter failed to meet his demand, the doctor allegedly threw the child onto the floor. She alleged negligence of the doctor killed her baby, Gautam said in the FIR.
Goutam alleged that several injury marks were found on the body of the baby. “I have lodged an FIR at Kendrapara town police station against Dr Swain for killing my son,” Mallick said.
Dr Swain was not available for comments when several attempts were made to contact him. Kalpana Mishra, a nurse at the female medicine ward of the hospital, who attended to the newborn, stated that the child was born dead as his pulse and heart beat were not functioning. She said the allegation made against Dr Swain is purely false and fabricated.
Acting on information, police rushed to the hospital and seized the body and sent it for autopsy. Police started an inquiry in this connection, IIC Mohanty said.
“We are waiting for the post-mortem report so that we can start the investigation, Mohanty added.
When contacted, Dr Harihar Panda, ADMO (medical), stated that an inquiry has been sought in this regard. He asked Dr Swain and the duty nurse to submit an explanation on the alleged issue. After, the reports, necessary action would be initiated, De Panda said. PNN