Allahabad HC stays Dr Kafeel Khan's suspension in Bahraich district hospital case

PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court has stayed the UP government's order dated July 31, 2019, by which Dr Kafeel Ahmad Khan, a paediatrician, was suspended on charges that he had forcibly treated patients at the Bahraich district hospital and criticized the policies of the government.
This was the second time Dr Kafeel was suspended by the state government, while he was already under suspension following the August 2017 tragedy at BRD Medical College at Gorakhpur, where 60 children had died due to alleged shortage of oxygen within a few days.
Hearing a writ petition filed by Dr Kafeel, Justice Saral Srivastava on September 9 directed to conclude inquiry against the petitioner within a period of one month. The court further directed that the petitioner shall cooperate in the enquiry and in case the petitioner does not cooperate, disciplinary authority may proceed to conclude the inquiry ex parte.
While directing to list this case on November 11, 2021, the court directed that when the matter is next listed, the respondents shall inform the court about the outcome of the enquiry.
Besides, the court directed the respondent state authorities four weeks’ time to file a reply (counter-affidavit).
When Dr Kafeel was suspended from service on August 22, 2017, following the death of about 60 infants in the BRD Medical College hospital, Gorakhpur due to lack of oxygen, he was attached to the office of director general medical education (DGME) office of Lucknow. Thereafter, he visited the Bahraich hospital claiming that he was called by the public to treat children affected by Japanese encephalitis.