SC Declines Plea On Gorakhpur Hospital Tragedy

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take suo motu cognizance of the Gorakhpur hospital tragedy.

The court asked the petitioner to approach the Allahabad High Court.

The matter was mentioned by advocate Rajashree Reddy, seeking court's intervention into the death of over 50 children in BRD Hospital due to shortage of oxygen.

"So many children have died in the Gorakhpur hospital. This court should take suo motu cognizance ," the petitioner lawyer submitted.

The bench of Chief Justice of India JS Khehar said: "The incident relates to one hospital of the state. We saw in TV that the Chief Minister and other ministers are personally visiting the hospital."

"Go to the high court concerned. Your plea is declined," the bench said.

Last week, more than 60 children died at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College. Parents and others have blamed oxygen shortage for the deaths --  a claim the hospital has denied.