An Odisha court on Friday granted bail to SUM Hospital’s chairperson Manoj Nayak and Medical Superintendent Dr Pushparaj Samantsinghar after the two furnished a surety bond of Rs 1 lakh and two guarantors each. However, the court asked both Nayak and Samantsinghar to co-operate in the investigation into the fire accident that took place on October 17.
Although the duo’s bail plea was heard on Thursday, the court had reserved the order. Nayak, who had surrendered to local police on October 21, will be released from the Special Jail at Jharpada by late evening, reported The New Indian Express.
Nayak, a businessperson with ventures in education, television channels and newspapers, had surrendered after the police had filed a case against the facility on October 18 and arrested four hospital officials. At least 25 people were killed and more than 100 injured after a major fire that broke out in the dialysis ward at the facility. Around 40 patients were reportedly present in the dialysis ward when the fire broke out. Carbon monoxide fumes spread through air conditioner ducts in the hospital, causing many of the victims, who were on oxygen support, to suffocate. The flames were doused around three hours after the fire broke out.
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the financial transactions of Sikshya O Anusandhan Charitable Trust, which runs the hospital. Two days after the accident, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the Odisha government, expressing its shock at the state and its officials allowing a large number of hospitals to function without proper fire safety clearances. The commission has sought a report from state officials within six weeks.
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