Even 72-hours after a devastating fire in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rani Laxmibai Medical College claimed the lives of 12 newborns, no FIR has been registered, and accountability remains undetermined. The tragedy, which occurred on Friday night, left 10 newborns dead on the spot, and two more succumbed to their injuries on Sunday, and Monday.
While a preliminary investigation by the Divisional Commissioner has been completed and a report submitted to the state government, no concrete action has been taken against any staff member or official. A high-level team led by the Director General of Health Services began its probe on Monday, but legal and disciplinary actions remain pending. The inaction has fueled political outrage, with Opposition parties lambasting the government for negligence and demanding swift accountability.
The tragedy has spotlighted glaring fire safety violations at the medical college. A February fire audit had flagged serious lapses in safety measures across the hospital, including in the SNCU ward. Despite these warnings, the administration failed to implement corrective measures. A proposal seeking Rs 1 crore to address these deficiencies was submitted, but no substantial progress was made.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who inspected the site on Saturday, confirmed that a mock fire drill had been conducted in June, following the audit. However, Rs 46 lakh sanctioned earlier for electrical repairs and the refilling of 126 fire extinguishers proved insufficient to prevent the disaster.
The fire not only claimed innocent lives but also caused extensive damage to critical medical equipment worth Rs 2 Crore. Ventilators, bubble CPAP machines, HFNC machines, and 18 cradles, all essential for treating critically ill newborns, were destroyed. In response, the hospital has set up a temporary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Ward No. 5, where 16 babies have been shifted for treatment. However, the loss of infrastructure has severely hampered the hospital's ability to provide care.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism, with opposition leaders accusing the government of systemic negligence. “This is not just a tragedy but a clear case of administrative failure,” said Akhilesh Yadav, national President of Samajwadi Party. “Despite prior warnings, the government ignored the glaring safety lapses.”
The lack of swift action has raised serious questions about governance and systemic inefficiencies in ensuring the safety of critical medical facilities. The bereaved families continue to await justice, while the medical college remains under scrutiny for its failure to address long-standing safety concerns. The government has though announced compensation for the victims' families but is yet to announce an action plan to prevent such tragedies in the future.
