Bhubaneswar, March 16 The Odisha government on Monday appointed retired district judge Laxmidhar Biswal to lead the judicial inquiry into the devastating fire at the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, in which at least 10 people died and 11 others suffered burn injuries.
The panel is required to submit its report within 60 days, according to a notification issued by the Home Department.
The commission's mandate includes a thorough examination of the sequence of events leading to the fire incident at the Trauma Care ICU, the roles and accountability of individuals and authorities involved in the tragedy.
The commission will also investigate the hospital's preparedness to handle such emergencies, the effectiveness of response measures taken before and after the incident, and recommendations to prevent future occurrences.
"The state government is deeply concerned about this matter of serious public importance," the notification stated while emphasizing the need for a judicial probe to ensure transparency and accountability.
The headquarters of the commission will be based in Cuttack, with the flexibility to conduct proceedings elsewhere if necessary.
Immediately after visiting the fire incident site at the SCB Medical College Hospital, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had announced a judicial probe into the incident.
Majhi also directed the Director General of the Fire Service to personally visit the hospital and ensure fire compliance.
"If anyone is found guilty in the incident after the judicial probe, strong action will be taken," the chief minister said.