More skeletal remains found in MP town

Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, Feb 18 (UNI) More skeletal remains of infants were found wrapped in polythene today during excavation in a missionary hospital's premises in this district headquarters.

After 391 bones were found yesterday, the administration ordered excavation with a JCB machine. Meanwhile, the police took into custody two female doctors P William and Gopalan -- employed at the Ratlam Christian Hospital -- for questioning. A probe of hospital records, by Deputy Inspector-General Varun Kapoor, revealed that abortion was carried out there recently.

Earlier, the hospital's sweeper Jagram confessed during interrogation that he had disposed of infants' corpses.

Following a tip-off, mediapersons rushed to the site yesterday and found packets containing skeletal remains of foetuses and infants. The administration was subsequently alerted.

''The bones found yesterday have been sent to a Bhopal-based medico-legal institution. The victims' age will be known only after analysis,'' Superintendent of Police Satish Saxena told mediapersons here while praising the press for bringing the matter to light.

A case was lodged against the management of the hospital set up in 1903.

''The hospital was not properly disposing biomedical waste. A probe team is being formed including the civil surgeon,'' Collector J L Malpani told mediapersons at the site.

Dr William, who is the sole permanent physician employed at the hospital, denied that prenatal diagnostic tests and abortion were carried out there. All other doctors are employed on adhoc basis.

A local children's hospital incharge Dr R G Kaushal confirmed that the bones were of infants.

UNI