News by Darshana Jamindar
In a case of HIV infection to 21 thalassaemic children in Junagadh Civil Hospital of 2011, CBI has submitted a closure report giving reasons of no conclusive evidence against the accused blood bank and doctors of negligence.
The court had summoned the complainant in the case Raoji Sondarva and 20 others on Friday following the submission of closure report in the case by CBI on August 1. Sondarva, through his advocate Paresh Vaghela, had petitioned for a copy of the closure report. The court granted them access.
Affect child when said in the court, “I am a thalassaemia patient who has to undergo blood transfusion twice a month. It is very painful. Now, due to the negligence of the doctors who treated me, I have been infected with HIV. I don’t know if I will be able to fight thalassaemia and HIV.” Her emotional statement left a stunned silence in the courtroom, with even judge BV Doshi ‘s tears rolled down the eyes.
Complainants are unhappy with CBI’s Closure Report in the case and will be filing a protest petition against the closure report. “We will request the court not to accept the report and taking cognizance of the seriousness of the offence, an offence should be registered and appropriate action should be taken,” Vaghela said. Sondarva, a resident of Junagadh, had filed a complaint against Sarvodaya blood bank, Junagadh Civil Hospital’s superintendent and 18 others on December 25, 2011 under IPC Sections 308, 328, 338, 34, 114.
According to the complaint, 23 children were infected with HIV after they were given tainted blood which was provided by Sarvodaya blood bank in Junagadh. ACBI investigation was demanded after the local police failed to satisfactorily investigate the case. CBI Additional Superintendent of Police SK Sarin had investigated the case and prepared 100 pages closure report. Statements of sixteen witnesses were recorded. Next hearing of case is on October 7.
