Lucknow: Kafeel Khan, the doctor who was implicated by the UP government in the mass death of infants at the Gorakhpur BRD Hospital on September 2, 2017, is seeking public donations for subsistence.
The doctors' brother Kashif Jameel was shot by unidentified miscreants in June 2018. Khan said this was the result of the open and defiant stance that he had adopted against the UP government.
Dr Khan told Onmanorama that the targeting was far from over and his elder brother Adeel Khan was also on the 'hit list' of the state. The doctor shot to fame recently once again after offering to voluntarily serve in Kerala's Kozhikode district, hit by a deadly Nipah virus sweep which claimed many lives.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had welcomed Khan to work in Nipah-hit districts.
The doctor had confirmed the receipt of air tickets from the state government too. Later, the government had asked the doctor to put his travel on hold as the case was still in court.
Also read: Kerala does a U-turn on Kafeel Khan, asks doc to hold visit
Dr Khan tweeted on Friday that he was broke after the police case and the financial outflow for Kashif Jameel's treatment.
“I want to say that I tried all options to subsist. My brother's treatment and the cases have eaten away all my family's savings. I would request all of you to please contribute whatever you can,” he said in the tweet. He said in a second tweet that he would pay back 'every penny' once the situation improved.
“The state is now targeting my elder brother. They say he had forged bank documents. Adeel is unaware of such a case. I am bankrupt,” he said.
The doctor said the state had played spoilsport with his career just because he stood for justice. He was yet to be relieved of his duties at the BRD Hospital.
“They neither permit me to do my duties nor do they give me my relieving letter. I am supposed to get half my salary while in suspension. That would come to Rs 26,000. They are not even paying me that. I have to treat my ailing brother, look after my family and repay my debts caused by the case. I am helpless,” he said.
Khan said he had received several threats from right wing political groups. Out of fear, his family seldom makes public appearances. “None of us are allowed to do our jobs. Anonymous phone calls, threats and notices force employers to evict us,” he said.
Dr Khan said he was 'serious about the tweet.' “I would remember each of the bank account from which I receive donations. Please help us live. I request you because I have no other option,” he said.
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