GB Pant case: Panel chief called to court

The CMM has also ordered the director of health services to either appear in person or send someone responsible to the court to explain why one of the accused in the complaint was appointed to the panel.

Following the CMM’s order, the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case raided the G B Pant hospital today. The team sealed the sub-stores of Operation Theatre-I. According to a Crime Branch official, the sister-in-charge of the sub-store was absent during the raid.

Earlier, while arguing their stand, PUCL alleged Crime Branch officials had taken a “soft attitude” towards the hospital which, they said, had allegedly hidden large quantities of imported expired materials from being seazed. The complaint has also alleged that a large quantity of expired packages of certain devices were shifted from the hospital’s main store. The Investigating Officer, however, rebutted the charges and expressed his willingness to conduct another raid. Hearing this, the CMM ordered: “The IO shall exercise his powers in law to conduct a suitable inspection with the assistance of the applicant and seize any such expired drugs or medical devices that are still found in use”.

Further, the IO also submitted the Crime Branch’s progress report. It showed that the expert committee appointed by the directorate, health services, Government of Delhi, had failed to start work. “It appears from the report that Dr. S.K. Aggarwal, Head of Department of medicines of Maulana Azad Medical College, has yet not convened a formal meeting to discuss the decision the issue,” the CMM ruled.

The IO as well as the complainant said the doctors appointed in the panel are working in the college affilated to the hospital. They also asked the CMM to probe the issue. The complainant’s counsel also told the court that the directorate, health services had earlier appointed Dr. Dinesh Chander in the committee, who was an accused in the complaint. The CMM, then, issued notices, asking Dr. S.K. Aggarwal, chariman of the expert committee, to appear in the court on the next date of hearing.