Court directs SSP to hold enquiry into death of 2 pregnant women in Anantnag

Seeks periodical report, directs guilty be booked

Srinagar, May 04: District Legal Service Authority (Principal District & Sessions Judge Anantnag) on Monday ordered SSP of the south Kashmir district to hold an enquiry into the death of two pregnant women allegedly due to medical negligence.

“…this authority cannot watch the proceedings as a mute spectator. This authority is required to initiate an enquiry in the matter and ensure that those found guilty should be brought to book so that the faith which people have lost in the working of the administration is reposed and restored,” the judicial officer Pervaiz Hussain Kachroo said in an order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

“In order to hold an enquiry in the matter and to find out the cause which resulted in the death of the lady who died (on Sunday) and also the lady who died at Bijbhara Hospital who were not apparently provided medical treatment at the hospitals, I direct worthy SSP Anantnag to hold an enquiry into this matter as well as in the earlier matter where a pregnant lady died at Bijbehara Hospital after giving birth to stillborn twins,” the court said.

The SSP Anantnag has been asked to either hold an enquiry by himself or by any other officer but not below the rank of SP.

“The enquiry shall be concluded within a period 15 days,” the authority ordered.

If on inquiry medical negligence was established, then those responsible for medical negligence must be brought to book and the action as warranted under law may be initiated against any delinquent official, the authority added. “The SSP Anantnag shall also submit the periodical report to this authority,” it added.

GNS