Files are safe, says AIIMS administration

New Delhi, Mar 2: Amid reports that files pertaining to departmental inquiries and legal documents were destroyed in a fire at AIIMS, the hospital administration today clarified that all the sensitive files are safe and in custody of the premier institution.

"This clarification is being issued in the context of certain misleading news reports in a section of media that some sensitive files were destroyed in a fire incident at AIIMS. It is hereby clarified that all the sensitive files are in the safekeeping and custody of AIIMS," said an AIIMS statement.

Further, an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Director (Administration), AIIMS has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the fire and review the preparedness at the hospital to prevent such incidents in future.

"The committee is likely to submit its report in one week's time," said the statement. A fire broke out in a porta-cabin on the top floor of AIIMS administrative block, which houses legal section early on Saturday and there were reports about computers containing information on land purchase and medicine procurements being destroyed in the fire. The issue was raised in Rajya Sabha today by T K Rangarajan (CPI-M) who alleged that "This (fire) is a deliberate act to destroy records."

Some faculty members have also demanded a detailed probe into the matter.

PTI