The Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday filed a police complaint against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, holding him accountable for the SUM Hospital fire in Bhubaneshwar, in which 21 people were killed. BJP leaders led by state party vice president Samir Mohanty registered the complaint and sought action against Patnaik for letting the hospital function despite violating fire safety protocols, The New Indian Express reported.
Mohanty said, "Since the chief minster holds the home portfolio, and police and fire services come under his department, he should be held responsible for the inaction of officials that led to such a tragic mishap." Assistant Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Asim Panda said they were looking into the complaint.
The police complaint was filed hours after SUM Hospital Chairman Manoj Nayak surrendered, and was subsequently arrested, in Bhubaneshwar. The businessman has ventures in education, television channels and newspapers. Moreover, a Special Investigation Team on black money had also directed the Enforcement Directorate to investigate the financial transactions of Sikshya O Anusandhan Charitable Trust, which runs the hospital.
A police case was filed against the hospital on Tuesday, and four officials of the facility were arrested after the October 17 blaze, in which more than 100 people were injured.
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