An FIR was registered in connection with the alleged transfusion of HIV-contaminated blood to children at a government hospital in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district on Monday.
The police action came in compliance with a February 4 order of the Jharkhand High Court, which directed the registration of a criminal case into allegations that HIV-infected blood was administered to children undergoing treatment for thalassemia at Sadar Hospital in West Singhbhum.
Terming the allegations as indicative of grave medical negligence with potentially life-threatening implications, the High Court said the matter warranted immediate criminal investigation.
The court has also directed the state government to submit an affidavit along with a copy of the FIR at the next hearing scheduled for February 18.
According to police, the FIR has been lodged against a laboratory technician and other unidentified persons under relevant provisions of the Drug and Cosmetics Act.
Also read: Chaibasa HIV horror returns as another 3 found infected
“We have registered an FIR against lab technician Manoj Kumar and others unknown under Sections 125, 271 and 272 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) on the basis of a written complaint filed by the father of one of the affected children,” said officer-in-charge of the Sadar Police Station.
The technician had earlier been removed from service following the emergence of the allegations.
The alleged lapse surfaced after a seven-year-old thalassemia patient tested HIV-positive in October last year, weeks after receiving a blood transfusion at the hospital in early September. The child’s family subsequently lodged complaints with the district administration and state authorities.
The Jharkhand High Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter and ordered a detailed probe. Acting on the court’s directions, a high-level medical team from Ranchi inspected the hospital’s blood bank and laboratory facilities in Chaibasa.
The inspection reportedly revealed multiple deficiencies and serious procedural irregularities. Preliminary findings suggested that inadequate testing protocols, lack of oversight and operational lapses may have led to the transfusion of contaminated blood.
Taking note of the findings, Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordered the suspension of the Civil Surgeon and other officials found responsible for the lapse.
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