NHRC notice to Maha govt over death of newborn babies in fire at Bhandara hospital

NHRC has sent a tice to Maharashtra government over death of ten newborn babies in a fire at Bhandara district general hospital, seeking a detailed report on incident within four weeks, officials said on Monday.

fire h broken out in Special Newborn Care Unit of state-run hospital in early hours on Saturday. Seven babies were rescued, doctors h said.

deceased infants were d between one month and three months.

" National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that ten infants were killed in a fire that swept through Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) at Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra on January 9."

" fire reportedly broke out at around 1.30 AM and hospital ministration could rescue only seven out of seventeen children kept in ward," NHRC said in a statement.

Commission has issued tices to state chief secretary and Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report within four weeks, officials said.

state police chief is also expected to inform Commission about outcome of investigation being conducted by police authorities, rights panel said in statement.

A relief of Rs 5 lakh has been anunced by state government from Chief Minister's Fund to each bereaved family and a state-wide fire audit has also been anunced. A case of accident has been reportedly registered and furr investigation is being conducted, it said.