Bhubaneswar, March 16 The Odisha government announced on Monday the formation of a single-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the tragic fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, which claimed the lives of ten patients.
According to a notification issued by the Odisha Home Department, the state government described the incident as a matter of serious public importance.
"The State Government is deeply concerned about this issue and believes that, given its serious public importance, it should be investigated by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952," the notification reads.
The state government has appointed Laxmidhar Biswal, a retired District Judge, as the sole member of the Commission. The inquiry is mandated to be completed within 60 days from the date of publication of the notification in the Odisha Gazette.
The Commission has been instructed to examine the sequence of events leading to the tragic fire mishap, the role, conduct and accountability of persons or authorities in this incident, the hospital and other agencies' preparedness in dealing with such incidents, and the effectiveness of measures taken before and after the incident to save the lives of the patients.
The government has also asked the commission to make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies.
"The headquarters of the Commission will be in Cuttack. However, the Commission may conduct the inquiry at any other place that is deemed necessary for the purpose of investigation," the notification added.
The notification comes in the wake of widespread public concern over the tragic incident, which also left several patients critically injured. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier announced a judicial inquiry, assuring stringent action against any negligence that may have contributed to the disaster.
The government has also formed a six-member fact-finding team, headed by Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, to investigate the causes of the tragic fire.
The SCB fire has reignited debates over hospital safety measures, particularly in intensive care units, and highlights the urgent need for stringent safety protocols and emergency preparedness. The judicial inquiry aims to provide a comprehensive report on the lapses, accountability, and preventive steps to safeguard lives in the future.
According to reports, a major fire broke out at the ICU of the Trauma Care centre at the SCB medical college due to a suspected electrical short circuit between 2 AM and 3 AM on Monday. Seven patients critically injured in the incident died immediately, while three others succumbed after being shifted to other ICUs.