Odisha Fire Tragedy: Police Arrest SUM Hospital Chairman

SUM hospital founder Manoj Nayak surrendered on early Thursday morning.

A short-circuit engulfed the ICU ward at Bhubaneswar’s SUM Hospital, where 21 people were killed on Monday night. (Photo: PTI)

SUM hospital founder Manoj Nayak was arrested on Thursday morning after he surrendered at the Khandagiri police station.

The Odisha Police on Wednesday had issued a Look-Out Notice against Nayak and his wife to ensure that they do not flee the country. Both are the trustees of Siksha 'O' Anusandhan Charitable Trust, which runs the hospital, where 24 people died in a fire on Monday evening.

“Manoj Nayak surrendered at Khandagiri Police Station. He has been arrested and is under interrogation," Commissioner of Police, YB Khurania, told reporters.

Sources said Nayak surrendered at the Khandagiri police station around 3:30 am. He was taken to an undisclosed destination where the police officers were interrogating him.

The state government has already lodged two FIRs against the hospital management citing negligence in terms of fire safety and evacuation of patients during the mishap.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had assured the state that all the guilty persons would be taken to task.

Two days ago, police had arrested four senior officials, including the medical superintendent of Sum Hospital Pushparaj Samantasinghar. They were booked under Section 304, 308, 285 and 34 of IPC.

Also read: SUM Hospital Fire: Nadda Says Safety Issues Found, Assures Support

(With inputs from IANS and PTI)