Dead body identity mix-up at Hi-Tech medical: BJP demands arrest of hospital owner

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday alleged that the Odisha government is not taking any action against the owner of the Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital for the mishap that occurred on December 29 because he is a leader of the ruling BJD. 

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, party spokesperson Manoj Mahapatra said, “The health facilities in the state have deteriorated so much that a person injured in an AC compressor explosion case at Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital succumbed while undergoing treatment there but he couldn’t be identified.”

“If he had been identified properly, another life wouldn’t have been lost,” Mahapatra said while referring to the incident where the wife of Dilip Samantaray committed suicide after reports reached her that her husband, who suffered burn injuries in the December 29 mishap, succumbed while undergoing treatment. However, another injured person who was earlier identified as Jyoti Ranjan Mallick came out of the ICU today and claimed that he isn’t Jyoti Ranjan Mallick, but Dilip Samantray. 

Also Read: Where is Jyoti Ranjan? Family of blast victim blames Hi-Tech hospital over 'identity mix-up'

“Why the state government has not registered a criminal case so far? The state government is dilly-dallying on the case. In the past, you had arrested the owner of a private hospital for a fire mishap. Why murder case has not been registered against the owner of the Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital and others associated with him?” Mahapatra added. 

“We demand immediate registration of a murder case and arrest of those involved,” he said. 

The BJP also demanded that compensation of Rs 1 crore should immediately be given to the bereaved families and the treatment cost of injured persons should also be recovered from the hospital. 

No comments from the hospital authorities or the BJD have been received.