Chamarajanagar COVID deaths: Govt appoints Commission of Inquiry
Bengaluru, May 05, 2021: Karnataka government has appointed a Commission headed by a former High Court Judge to probe into the Chamarajanagar COVID deaths.
Karnataka High Court retired judge Justice B A Patil has been appointed as the one Man Commission of Inquiry.
On May 3, the state government had ordered inquiry by KSRTC MD Shivayogi Kalasad.
Also read: Shivayogi Kalasad to probe Chamarajanagar COVID deaths
The order comes a day after the Karnataka High Court opined that a judicial inquiry will have to be conducted into the Chamarajanagara incident.
“Prima Facie, we are of the view that this is a fit case where inquiry will have to be held by appointing a retired judicial officer,” on Tuesday the bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar stated, according to media reports.
On Wednesday the Karnataka government ordered a Judicial Inquiry giving it a time of one month to submit the report.
“Government of Karnataka is of the opinion that it is necessary to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into the circumstances and events leading to the deaths of Covid 19 patients in District Hospital, Chamarajanagar on May 3, reportedly due to scarcity of Oxygen,” the order issued on May 5 said.
The Terms of Reference of the Commission:
TO inquire into the circumstances and events leading to the death of Covid 19 patients in District Hospital, Chamarajanagar on May 3, 2021, reportedly due to scarcity of Oxygen and any further similar incidents, which are entrusted to the Commission of Inquiry by the Government.
The government has asked all the officers concerned, including Deputy Commissioners of Chamarajanagar and Mysore Districts, to hand over immediately all requisite documents and material evidence to the Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare Department for onward submission to the Enquiry Commission.
The Office of the Commission shall be located in Mysuru. The Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare Department shall make arrangements for the remuneration and allowances, office accommodation, mobility, staff, communication, and other necessary infrastructure to conduct the said Inquiry.
Click here for order copy:
