Odisha Police get SUM Hospitals' owner on two-day remand

A local court in Odisha on Thursday allowed the Commissionerate Police to take SUM Hospitals chairman Manoj Nayak on two-day remand for further questioning in connection with the fire tragedy in the hospital in which 21 persons were killed.

The sub-divisional judicial magistrate (SDJM) of Bhubaneswar granted the police two-day remand of Nayak.

Nayak would be questioned about violation of fire safety norms that led to fire mishap, said a senior police official.

The court also rejected his bail plea, said the police.

Nayak was arrested during the early hours on Thursday after he surrendered before Khandagiri police. The police had issued a look-out circular to nab Nayak and his wife on Wednesday. Nayak surrendered but the police are looking for his wife Saswati Das.

Both are the trustees of Siksha 'O' Anusandhan Charitable Trust, which runs the hospital.

The state government had filed two FIRs against the hospital management for violation of fire safety norms and evacuation process. Notably, the hospital was running without a fire safety certificate.

"Five persons including the owner of the hospital have been arrested. Exemplary action would be taken against those whoever found guilty," the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.

Earlier, the police had arrested four officials of the hospital.

Medical Superintendent Pusparaj Samantasinghar, former Executive Engineer Amulya Kumar Sahu (electrical maintenance), Fire Safety Officer Santosh Das and retired Junior Engineer Malay Kumar Sahu (electrical maintenance) were arrested on Tuesday.

--IANS

cd/pgh/vt