UP orders fresh probe into suspended Gorakhpur doctor’s conduct

LUCKNOW: A fresh inquiry has been ordered by the UP government to probe the allegations of indiscipline, corruption and gross negligence during duty by suspended pediatrician of Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College Dr Kafeel Khan.
In a previous inquiry by a senior IAS officer, furnished to the medical education department earlier in April 2019, Kafeel was absolved of two out of four charges leveled against him by the government.A final decision on these charges where Kafeel had been absolved is still to be taken by the government, authorities said.
Of the four cases, Kafeel was found guilty of indulging in private practice and being attached to a private nursing home in Gorakhpur till April 2017.
On Thursday, addressing a press briefing at the Lok Bhavan, principal secretary medical education department Rajneesh Dube said that the fresh inquiry will investigate a total of seven charges against Kafeel. Dube will be the inquiry officer to probe these charges.
"Dr Kafeel Khan has not been exonerated in the case. He has been spreading misinformation through social media as well as in mainstream media regarding the investigation," said Dube.
"Departmental proceedings in four cases against Kafeel were recommended after he was prima facie found guilty in the incident at BRD Medical College. He was found holding private practice and operating a private nursing home while still in the position of senior resident and regular spokesperson in government service. These two charges are cases of serious corruption and gross violation of rules," said Dube.
Another fresh angle which will now be probed includes an incident from 2018, where Kafeel had tried to treat children at the district hospital in Bharaich. This, along with spreading misleading information in media, will be put under the charge of serious misconduct, in the new inquiry.
"During the suspension period, Kafeel attempted to treat patients by forcibly entering the pediatric department of district hospital Bahraich with three-four outsiders on September 22, 2018, causing panic in the hospital," Dube added.
In the earlier inquiry report, Kafeel was, however, not found to be the in charge of AES 100 number ward where the oxygen supply tragedy had struck, taking the life of more than 60 children in August 2017. He was also not found guilty of not informing his seniors of the emergency situation back then nor was he involved in corruption related to tendering process for oxygen cylinders, as per the earlier report which surfaced in the media on September 27.