COVID-19: FIR lodged as isolation facility used for C-section in Pulwama

PULWAMA — The authorities in Pulwama district have registered an FIR against the owners of a private hospital for carrying out routine functions including caesarean section despite it being acquired for isolation facilities for COVID-19 management in south Kashmir.

While taking cognisance of violation of Government orders, District Magistrate Pulwama Dr Raghav Langer got an FIR lodged against Ali Mohammed Rather and Bashir Ahmad Rather, owners of Zenith Hospital for “misleading” the authorities. Notably, Bashir Ahmad Rather is working as a pharmacist in District Hospital Pulwama.

District Magistrate said that the FIR under relevant Sections of IPC like 269 (unlawfully or negligently doing something which is likely to spread infection of any dangerous disease to life), Section 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of dangerous disease to life), Section 271 IPC (knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule) and section 188 (disobeying any Government order).

He said that Section 186 IPC—obstructing public servant in discharge of duties, 420 IPC (Cheating) and Section 51 of Disaster Management Act 2005 have also been invoked as they have endangered lives of thousands amidst the public health emergency spiked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospital management has been found involved in performing private practice including Caesarean sections when senior officials visited the premises, overtly defying the government orders.

The hospital along with all its resources was acquired by the authorities under Section 34 and 65 of Disaster Management Act 2005 on March 28 and was placed at the disposal of CMO Pulwama for converting the same into an isolation facility in coordination with Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Pulwama.

Meanwhile, CMO and Medical Superintendent, District hospital Pulwama have been issued showcase notices before initiating disciplinary action against the owners over their sheer negligence in allowing private practice in the requisitioned private hospital amidst looming public health emergency.