BRD deaths: Dr Mishra and his wife sent in 14-day judicial custody

The main accused in Gorakhpur BRD Medical College tragedy, Dr Rajiv Mishra and his wife Purnima Shukla, were produced in Gorakhur court which sent them under 14-day judicial custody.

Both of them were arrested on Tuesday from Kanpur by the Special Task Force (STF). They were brought to Gorakhpur on Wednesday and produced before the court on Thursday.

During the interrogation by STF and Gorakhpur Police, the doctor couple broke down several times. When grilled, Dr Mishra feigned ignorance about the shortage of oxygen supply on the pretext that he was in Rishikesh for official work.

The couple broke down in tears when the police charged that they did not allow payment of oxygen gas supplier Pushpa Sales Pvt Ltd, allegedly due to their demand for hefty commission. Dr Mishra evaded direct questions on not making payment despite having sufficient funds. "I am innocent and being made scapegoat," was his reply to the investigating police officers.

31 children had died on August 10 and 11 when the oxygen supplier to the hospital had snapped supply over unpaid bills. After Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar submitted his report, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered FIRs against those guilty.

FIRs were first lodged at Hazratganj police station against nine accused, including Dr Mishra and his wife, and later in Gorakhpur. Dr Mishra and his wife Purnima were arrested on Tuesday from Kanpur while seven other accused in the case are still on the run.