Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Nov 26: The Gorakhpur police on Saturday November 25 dropped charges of corruption and private practice against Dr Kafeel Khan, one of the nine people accused in the deaths of 33 children on August 10 and 11 at Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das Medical College and Hospital.

According to reports, investigating officer Abhishek Singh said they could not find any material and substantive evidence during the course of the probe against Dr Khan to prove that he was involved in corruption, had private practice or violated any provisions of the IT Act.

Dr Khan, the head of the encephalitis ward and an assistant professor in the pediatrics department, was removed from the post of the nodal officer at the National Health Mission in the wake of several deaths that occurred at BRD Medical College.

However, he was hailed a hero by the media for spending his own money, running pillar-to-post to procure oxygen for dying children on August 10 and 11.

Though cleared of graft charges, he still faces charges of criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder and breach of trust by public servant under sections 120-B, 308 and 409 of the IPC.

It is likely that FIRs will be filed against doctor K P Kushwaha, a former principal of the BRD Medical College, and four others in connection with executing contract with oxygen supplier Pushpa Sales Pvt Ltd.

Investigations have revealed that though Pushpa Sales Pvt Ltd was not manufacturing oxygen, it was still engaged to supply oxygen at a higher price resulting in losses to the state as well as violating the tendering process.