Notice to MIOT hospitals, TN govt

The Madras High Court today issued notice to MIOT hospitals and the state government on a PIL seeking criminal action against it for 'wilful negligence' in not providing power back-up during recent heavy rains, which allegedly resulted in death of some patients, and against authorites for "colluding" with MIOT in flouting building rules.
The HC issued the notice to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and MIOT hospitals.
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana before which the PIL filed by social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy came up, also directed the Hospital and the government to submit their replies by February 16, 2016.

Ramaswamy submitted that the 10-storyed hospital was built very close to Adyar river and a low-lying area. He said the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Corporation of Chennai normally do not accord approval within a 100-meter radius of any water or river channels. But this rule was violated and building plan approval was given for MIOT.
He alleged that even the hospital building was not built as per plan approval. MIOT had encroached water channels "which is very well known to the authorities concerned" and till date no action was taken by them.
The petitioner, while mentioning the recent heavy rains, said water overflowing from Adayar river had breached the compound wall of the Hospital and damaged all power units.

He alleged MIOT had violated medical rules and not provided mobile or back-up generators or power supply, resulting in the death of 18 patients due to lack of oxygen.

Alleging collusion by top police officials with the hospital management, he submitted that an improper case had been registered.
He said that his representation to authorities to act against the hospital has not evoked any response till date and hence he was constrained to file the PIL.
Ramaswamy prayed for a direction from the court to the police to initiate criminal action against the hospital for 'willful negligence' and also to direct authorities concerned to demolish the unauthorized encroachment by MIOT and also on the violation of building construction rules.