New Delhi: After a massive fire that killed 7 newborn babies at a baby care centre in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area, the Delhi Police have arrested two doctors, including the owner of the hospital. The owner of the Newborn Baby Care Hospital, which is located in the Vivek Vihar area of Delhi’s Shahdara district, has been identified as Dr Naveen Khichi, while the other accused has been identified as Dr Aakash, who was on duty doctor at the time of incident.

According to the police, apart from the baby care centre in Vivek Vihar, Dr Khichi also 3 other similar baby care centres in various parts of Delhi-NCR. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter. 

Forensic team inspected and collected evidence from the spot

Earlier, a forensic team and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Chaudhary reached the spot in Vivek Vihar, where the tragic fire incident occurred and inspected the site. 

On late Saturday night, at least 7 newborn babies were tragically killed and several others were injured after a massive fire broke out at the Newborn Baby Care Hospital in Vivek Vihar, which led to major panic like situation in the area. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP Shahdara) Surendra Choudhary on Sunday stated, “On May 25, at 11.29 pm, an information regarding fire in hospital and persons are in danger was received. On receipt of the PCR call, police and fire brigade staff reached the spot at Baby Care Newborn hospital located at C-54 in Vivek Vihar Phase -1, where fire was seen in a two-storey building.”

“With the help of fire brigade staff, 12 infants were rescued from the nursing station. After dousing the fire, the hospital was inspected and there were burst oxygen cylinders found. Rescued infants were shifted to another hospital in Vivek Vihar and later on 7 dead infants were sent to GTB Hospital mortuary for autopsy,” DCP Choudhary stated.

Further, the hospital was thoroughly inspected by police staff, fire brigade staff and crime team, during which, it was found that there was no fire extinguisher in the building, the entry and exit were improper, there was absence of emergency exit and other lapses were detected.

Subsequently, a case under relevant sections including 304 and 308 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered and a probe was initiated.

During the investigation, several shortcomings were noticed by the police, which includes:

• License issued to the Baby Care New Born Child Hospital by the concerned authority of the Government of Delhi, expired on March 31, 2024.
• Even as per the expired license (issued to the said Hospital) was allowed for 5 Beds only, but at the time of incident 12 new born children were admitted in the Hospital. 
• The doctors are not qualified or competent to treat the new born child in need of Neonatal Intensive care, as they are BAMS degree holders only.
• There was no fire extinguisher installed in the said hospital for emergency conditions in case of eruption of fire. 
• There was no emergency exit in the hospital in case of any untoward incident.

During the course of investigation, the police found that the ‘Baby Care New Born Child Hospital’ has 4 branches located in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Haryana’s Faridabad and Gurgaon. It surfaced that the fire erupted due to a short circuit.

Further, the police arrested the owner of the said hospital, Dr Naveen Khichi (45) and doctor on duty at the time of incident Dr Aakash (26).

Further legal action into the matter is being taken.