Gorakhpur tragedy: SC refuses to take suo motu cognisance

The Chief Justice of India while hearing the plea asked the petitioner to approach High Court, saying "UP CM personally taking interest".

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a plea requesting it to take Suo moto cognizance of the death of infants in Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das hospital. The plea has also sought an SIT probe into the deaths.

The Chief Justice of India while hearing the plea asked the petitioner to approach High Court, saying "UP CM is personally taking interest".

Over 60 children have reportedly died at BRD Medical College Hospital since August 7, many for want of oxygen whose supply was disrupted after bills were not paid to the vendor. At least 30 children were reported dead in the last two days alone. Many of the victims were infants who perished in the neo-natal intensive care unit.

The state government had on August 12 ordered an official inquiry by the chief secretary and suspended the principal of the Medical College Hospital Rajiv Mishra.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has promised strict action. "The guilty will not be spared and such strict action would be taken by the Uttar Pradesh government that it would set an example for people to work with discipline," he said.

(With agency inputs)