SUM Hospital tragedy: Chairman Manoj Nayak surrenders

SIT on black money has also directed the ED to probe into financial transactions of Nayak's trust

The Bhubaneswar Commissionerate police on Thursday said it arrested Manoj Nayak, the besieged chairman of city-based SUM Hospital, after the latter surrendered at the local Khandagiri police station. Police Commissioner Y B Khurania confirmed his surrender and subsequent arrest.

Nayak is among the five people nabbed by the police in connection with a devastating fire that broke out in the hospital on Monday, claiming 22 lives. 

Police action follows massive public outrage and mounting demand to fix responsibility on the hospital authorities for alleged negligence, leading to the mishap.

"Nayak is currently being interrogated by the police. His wife and other members of the trust may also be arrested," said K B Singh, director general of police.

On Wednesday evening, the Bhubaneswar Commissionerate police had urged the Ministry of home affairs to issue a look out notice, restraining Nayak and his spouse Saswati Das from fleeing the country. Both Nayak, 56, and his wife are trustees of the Shiksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Charitable Trust that manages the SUM Hospital and a string of educational institutions, including a medical college. However, Nayak’s name does not figure in the board of directors of the hospital.

Police had earlier arrested SUM Hospital’s superintendent Pusparaj Samantasinghar and three other hospital officials. On Wednesday, police had raided the city office of Nayak and seized some important documents. His house, however, was found to be locked during the raids.

Fresh trouble seems to be brewing for Nayak with the special investigation team on black money instructing the Enforcement Directorate to probe into the financial transactions of the Shiksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Charitable Trust. The SUM Hospital run by the trust has been found to lack the mandatory fire safety certificate and has already got a notice from the Khurda district administration on why it should not be sealed under the Clinical Establishment Act.