Gorakhpur children deaths: UP STF arrests Dr Kafeel Khan, in-charge of encephalitis ward

In a major development in heart-wrenching Gorakhpur tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on Saturday arrested Dr. Kafeel Khan, in-charge of encephalitis ward at BRD Medical College and Hospital, reported news agency ANI.

Dr. Kafeel was hailed as a hero by the media for arranging oxygen cylinders to save children at Gorakhpur's BRD medical college and hospital. But the investigators held him accused of negligence as he was the ward in-charge.

At least, 30 kids died at Gorakhpur's BRD medical college in a span of 48 hours last month after the liquid oxygen supply was cut off over non-payment of the bills.

On August 24, on the orders of state government, an FIR was registered against Dr. Kafeel Khan, Dr. Rajeev Mishra- former BRD college principal and 7 others in connection with the tragic incident of children deaths.  

Earlier,  a court issued non- bailable warrant (NBW) against seven people, including Dr. Kafeel Khan, in connection with the death of children at the BRD Medical College hospital.

After the incident, Dr. Kafeel Khan had been removed as the Nodal Officer for the Department of Pediatrics of Baba Raghav Das Medical College after an investigation accused him of negligence.

The opposition had accused the government of using Kafeel Khan as a scapegoat and demanded the resignation UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Health Minister Siddhartha Nath Singh.

Also Read | Gorakhpur hospital tragedy: Congress terms children deaths ‘murder,’ demands CM Yogi’s resignation

#GorakhpurTragedy: Uttar Pradesh STF arrests accused Dr Kafeel Khan from Gorakhpur. pic.twitter.com/rFnXqc3EP9

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More details awaited.