Exactly two years after Uttar Pradesh government suspended, arrested and jailed Dr Kafeel Khan, a physician at Gorakhpur BRD hospital, for his alleged role in the death of about 60 children due to the shortage of oxygen cylinders, a departmental inquiry initiated by the state government cleared him of all charges.
The inquiry report which was released on Thursday, praised Khan for his brave gesture that saved several lives. Khan was on duty at the BRD hospital as a pediatrician on the night of the disaster when a severe shortage in oxygen cylinders caused the death of 64 children within 48 hours.
According to the report, when liquid oxygen ran out on the night of August 10, 2017, Dr Kafeel’s team arranged 500 cylinders in under 54 hours thereby arresting the death toll.
Responding to the news, Kafeel Khan said justice will be served only when the real culprits of the oxygen tragedy are put behind bars.
“I am happy, extremely happy. After two long years, our family received a happy news,” Kafeel Khan told Onmanorama. For two years I've been carrying the tag of ‘Killer Dr Kafeel’. Perhaps, it will wash away now. But then, I believe that justice will be served only when the real culprits of the oxygen tragedy are put behind bars, he said.
Allahabad High Court has ruled that Dr Kafeel has no charges of medical negligence against him. The departmental inquiry, which was ordered by UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath on August 22 2017, says that there is no evidence of medical negligence against Kafeel Khan.
“Lakhs of people showered their love and support on me. Their prayers have borne fruit. From Gorakhpur to Kochi and Bihar to Assam, a lot of you supported me. I know I'll always receive this unconditional love from all of you. Thank you,” Khan said.
Reinstate Kafeel in job: mother and wife plead
Commenting on the clean chit he received, his wife who is also a doctor pleaded the government to reinstate Kafeel Khan in his job which was lost following his arrest. “My only plea to our honourable CM Yogi Adityanath is to let my husband resume his job and provide appropriate compensation to the parents of the deceased kids,” she said.” She also expressed her gratitude to chief executive Himanshu Kumar who acquitted Kafeel of all the charges.
Kafeel Khan's mother also raised her request to UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath to let him rejoin his job. “It is indeed a day to rejoice. Kafeel should be reinstated in his job so that he may take care of his family and serve the children of Gorakhpur. The children of Gorakhpur should stay happy. This is my ultimate wish,” she said.
