Allahabad HC tells UP govt to file report on Gorakhpur deaths

Shahira Naim 

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, August 18

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh government and Director General Medical Education to file a detailed counter-affidavit within six weeks on the Gorakhpur deaths.

The case will be heard on October 9.

A division bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Daya Shankar Tiwari passed the order on a PIL filed by activist Nutan Thakur after hearing state Advocate General Raghavendra Pratap Singh and counsel for the department of Medical Education Sanjay Bhasin.

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Opposing the petition, the Advocate General said the state government had taken every possible measure in the matter. He also assured the court of all possible action as soon as the probe report is submitted by the Chief Secretary.

However, the petitioner argued that the state government action so far gave the impression that they were trying to hide facts and shield certain guilty people.

According to the petitioner, under such circumstances the Chief Secretary’s inquiry would be eyewash.

She also emphasised the problem of private practice in state hospitals and medical colleges, seeking complete ban on that.