The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Wednesday called for an inquiry into the recent fire at the surgical intensive care unit of the Government Medical College Hospital and the alleged death of five patients who were shifted from the unit after the fire.
State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairman Alexander Thomas, who himself registered the case, directed the additional principal secretary of the health department to conduct a detailed and transparent investigation into the incident, based on media reports.
The SHRC has asked that all aspects of the episode, including the circumstances leading to the fire and the steps taken to evacuate patients from the ICU, be thoroughly investigated, the Commission said in a statement here.
It also sought to clarify the exact cause of death of the five patients and ordered that post-mortem findings and expert forensic reports be compiled and submitted as part of the report.
The SHRC said the investigation should include records of the statements of doctors, hospital staff, participants and relatives of the deceased. Relevant hospital records, post-mortem certificates and court reports were also requested.
The commission further asked the authorities to verify whether the relatives of the deceased have filed complaints and if so, whether FIRs have been registered.
In addition, the Director of Medical Education was tasked with submitting a separate report on the matter.
The SHRC has also directed representatives of the state government and directorate of medical education to appear in person for the meeting to be held at its headquarters on May 8, the statement added.
The human rights commission’s action came days after relatives of five deceased patients claimed their deaths were linked to the March 17 fire.
Congress last week demanded an immediate probe into the allegation related to the patient’s death, calling the development “shocking”.
Published – 25 March 2026 21:15 IST
