While taking cognizance of violation of Government orders District Magistrate (DM) Pulwama, Dr Raghav Langer today lodged an FIR against Ali Mohammed Rather and Bashir Ahmad Rather owners of Zenith Hospital.Notably, Bashir Ahmad Rather who are working as a pharmacist in district hospital, Pulwama have misled the authorities.The DM said that an FIR under relevant sections of IPC including 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 (knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule) and section 188 ( for disobeying any Government order).He added that section 186 IPC (obstructing public servant in discharge of duties), 420 IPC and section 51 of Disaster Management Act 2005 have also been invoked, as the alleged 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 Cesarean 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 vide order no : DC /PA 6128-38 dated 28- 03-2020 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 were issued showcause notices before initiating disciplinary action for sheer negligence in allowing private practice in the requisitioned private hospital amidst looming public health emergency.The district administration said that every one found involved in this blatant violation of rules will be strictly dealt with under relevant laws.Locals of the area also showed concern that some individuals are still looking for profit making even at this juncture. They demanded that action should be also taken against medical personnel who conducted surgeries at the hospital despite the fact that the facility was taken over by he Government.