In a tragic occurrence, the owner of a hospital in Delhi, India along with a doctor who works at the same facility, have been arrested in connection with a fire that resulted in the deaths of seven newborns. Dr. Naveen Khichi, who owns the New Born Baby Care Hospital in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar district, was arrested after evading authorities since the fire started late Saturday night, May 25, 2024. Dr. Akash, who was on duty during the incident, was also detained.
The fire started at approximately 11:30 p.m., causing widespread panic. Of the 12 infants admitted at the hospital, one died immediately, another passed away during treatment, and five were pronounced dead upon their arrival at a different hospital. Five infants are still receiving medical care.
The authorities have conducted a thorough investigation into the incident, uncovering a series of alarming neglect. The hospital’s license, valid for only five beds, had expired in March, and it was operating without proper fire safety measures such as fire extinguishers and fire exits. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Choudhary stated, “During the investigations, we got to know that the doctors are not qualified to treat the newborn children in need of neonatal intensive care, as they are BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) degree holders only.”
The Delhi government has called for a magisterial inquiry to determine the exact cause and assign responsibility for the fire. Initial investigations suggest a short circuit could have been the cause, but there were clear violations of safety procedures. Oxygen cylinders present at the location, alleged by locals to be part of an unlawful oxygen refilling business, exploded during the fire. Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj emphasized the importance of fire audits in all Delhi hospitals, saying, “On April 24, we issued directions for fire preparedness. We will ask all private and Delhi government-run hospitals to complete a fire audit by June 8 and submit a compliance report.”
The incident has deeply affected the local community. The fathers of two of the deceased infants shared their sorrow, explaining how they found out about the fire through the news and friends. One father said, “I rushed to the hospital hoping for the best but faced the worst nightmare instead.”
Dr. Khichi, a pediatrician, and his wife, a dentist, operate several clinics across Delhi. This is not the first time the hospital has faced scrutiny. In 2021, Khichi was charged with alleged mistreatment of a newborn, and the hospital was found to be unregistered under the Delhi Nursing Home Act.
The local community has displayed remarkable courage during this crisis. Two nurses and several locals risked their lives to save as many infants as possible. Minister Bharadwaj said, “We will recommend their names for bravery awards.”
As the investigation progresses, the focus is on preventing similar incidents in the future. The Delhi government is working to expedite compensation for the affected families while ensuring stricter enforcement of safety regulations in hospitals throughout the city.
