"How Can This Happen in a Civilized Society?": Bombay High Court On Nashik Oxygen Gas Tragedy

While hearing a PIL Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dipankar Datta also asked the State to apprise it about the Oxygen Gas leak tragedy in Nashik which claimed 22 lives, terming it a matter of concern.

How can this happen in a civilized society? Justice Datta remarked.

After the hearing on the PIL was complete, the AG explained that a preliminary report sent to Chief Secretary by The Nasik Municipal Authority, says in the Dr. Zakir Hussain Hospital, the Oxygen tank was installed based on a contract to a private company, that was responsible for maintaining and filling it.He said that there seemed to be Oxygen pressure, and the leakage was found.

"Meanwhile, oxygen pressure dropped to such a level that supply almost stopped to continue. This resulted into cut off of oxygen and the situation continued till about one hour 20 minutes. In that situation deaths have occurred. There were 131 patients on oxygen, 15 on ventilators, and 16 critical," the Advocate General said.

The Bench acknowledged the submissions and orally asked the AG to submit to the court any further developments.