Gorakhpur infant deaths: Kafeel Khan walks out of jail

Kafeel Khan, who was booked in connection with the death of infants at a state-run hospital here last year, walked out of jail today.

Khan, who worked as nodal officer at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College, was granted bail by the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday.

His wife Shabistan Khan, daughter and other family members welcomed him.

"Kafeel Khan was freed from jail this evening. Although he was granted bail by the Allahabad High Court on April 25, the delay was due to some other procedures," jail superintendent Ramdhani said.

Various organisations, including members of 'Adhikar Morcha' wearing saffron scarves came in support of Khan. They also carried banners and posters with 'Dr Kafeel hamara hero' (Dr Kafeel is our hero) and 'congratulations' written on them.

After coming out of jail, Kafeel hugged his wife and daughter and said, "The honourable high court has clearly said that there is no evidence against me. You know what my family went through in the last eight months. I do not know what my fault is".

When asked who was the real culprit behind the incident, he said, "I have mentioned it in my letter".

Khan had written a letter from jail which was made public by his wife at a press conference in Delhi.

In the letter, the former nodal officer at BRD hospital, mentioned that payment to oxygen supplier at the hospital was not made because the fund for the same was not released.

More than 60 children, mostly infants, had died at the hospital within a week in August, 2017. There were allegations that the deaths occurred due to disruption in oxygen supply.

The BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, however, had denied that shortage of oxygen led to the deaths.

In its report submitted on August 23, 2017, a committee under Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar had recommended initiating criminal action against then principal of the hospital Rajiv Mishra, HoD Anaesthesia Paediatric department Satish,