Gorakhpur: Was Kafeel Khan Bringing In New Oxygen Cylinders Or Returning Those He Had Stolen?

Just a day after reports hailing Dr Kafeel Khan as hero of Gorakhpur tragedy surfaced in the media, he has come under scanner for his misconduct and malpractices. Dr Khan, who had been made in charge of the high profile and sensitive neonatal intensive care unit in the Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College, Gorakhpur, was reportedly running a large private paediatric hospital, Medispring, near Azad Chowk in the city. According to a video, which has gone viral in Gorakhpur, resident doctors in Medispring admit the he was available only in his private hospital.

According to a report in Aaj Tak, hospital sources allege that Dr Khan used to divert oxygen supplies from the BRD Medical College to his hospital. The same report also alleges that he and the principal, Dr Rajeev Mishra, were in cahoots and that the paediatrician, in efforts to preempt an enquiry into his wrongdoings, was ‘managing’ the media with the help of his journalist friends. The report also says that several doctors and employees contacted by them have confirmed that Dr Khan used to get commission in all the purchases, and a part of that was passed on to Dr Mishra.

It should be noted that Dr Khan was a member of the College Purchase Committee and payments for supplies to the Encephalitis ward were cleared by him. Dr Khan had hogged the limelight when he appeared nicely dressed in box shirts and a tie holding a child in his hands for cameras outside the BRD hospital. A story was put out that Dr Khan had been running in his own car arranging for oxygen supply from a private hospital. Reports now suggest that he was bringing back the cylinders previously stolen from the government hospital.

According to reports pouring in from various sources, Dr Khan isn’t new to controversies. He was dismissed from the Manipal Hospital over irregularities. He is also accused of allegedly raping a woman, with a case registered against him in 2015. Dr Khan was also booked by the Delhi Police in 2009 for impersonation on behalf of a candidate appearing for medical entrance exam. It is shocking that leading media houses had picked up Dr Khan’s version of the story without ascertaining the facts.

After a sharp rebuke from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Dr Khan has been sacked from the BRD Medical College. The dismissal seems to be only a beginning of his woes.