KUSHINAGAR, UP – Police have filed a case against nine staff members, including the principal, of a government medical college in Kushinagar. The action follows the disappearance of a newborn from the facility’s Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU). The infant vanished on Tuesday , with the First Information Report (FIR) officially registered late Wednesday night. Officials confirmed these developments on Thursday , initiating a widespread investigation.
Incident Timeline
Reena, a resident from Mania Chappar Tola in Balkudia village, delivered a baby boy at the medical college. The birth occurred on Tuesday . Later that day, at approximately 6:45 PM , a staff nurse transferred the newborn. The infant was moved to the SNCU ward. This transfer was prompted by the baby experiencing breathing difficulties. Authorities confirm the newborn has been missing from the SNCU since this specific time on Tuesday .
Formal Charges Filed
Pradeep Chaudhary, the infant’s father, lodged a formal complaint regarding his missing child. Acting on this complaint, local police registered an FIR late on Wednesday night. The complaint targets nine individuals associated with the medical college. Those named include Medical College Principal Dr. RK Shahi and Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Dr. Dilip Kumar. The FIR also lists duty in-charge Dr. Ritesh Singh. Five nurses, identified as Indu Singh, Sneha Maurya, Julie, Urmila, and Anarkali, face charges. Additionally, college guard Dharmendra Singh is also among those booked in connection with the disappearance.
Investigation Uncovers Negligence
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Siddharth Verma promptly arrived at the medical college. He was accompanied by the Padrauna Circle Officer. Together, they conducted initial questioning of the staff members who were on duty. Preliminary findings from this inquiry indicate significant negligence. The negligence is attributed to the medical college administration and its protocols. Staff nurses initially suggested a possible baby mix-up as an explanation. However, police investigators thoroughly examined this theory. The investigation found no credible evidence to support the claim of a baby mix-up. This ruling narrows the focus of the ongoing inquiry.
Critical Security Lapses
A major obstacle in the police investigation has emerged concerning the college’s security infrastructure. Officers discovered that all Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed across the medical college premises were non-functional. This critical lapse complicates the probe significantly. The lack of working cameras prevents investigators from reviewing crucial footage. Such footage could potentially track the infant’s last known movements or identify any individuals involved in the disappearance. This absence of visual evidence hinders the ability to piece together a clear timeline of events.
Administrative Response and Future Actions
Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar issued a statement confirming the active status of the case. He assured that a comprehensive investigation is underway to locate the newborn and ascertain culpability. Separately, Principal Dr. Shahi addressed the situation from the administration’s perspective. He announced the immediate formation of a three-member inquiry committee within the college. This committee’s mandate includes reviewing internal procedures and staff conduct. Efforts are also being made to attempt to retrieve any potentially recoverable CCTV footage. The goal is to identify specific procedural lapses or individual failures that contributed to the tragic incident. The medical college administration states it is fully cooperating with the police investigation to resolve the case.