Odisha Health Min Resigns on ‘Moral Grounds’ Over Hospital Fire

The death toll of the fire has reached 25.

(Photo: The Quint)

Odisha Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak has given his resignation to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday, reports ANI.

The resignation comes four days after a massive fire broke out at SUM Hospital in Bhubaneshwar on Monday evening. The death toll of the fire reached 25 on Friday, according to ANI.

The Quint had previously done a story hinting at a conflict of interest in the ongoing investigation into the tragedy. The investigation found that the health minister’s wife was an employee of the man who owned SUM hospital.

Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak has resigned on moral grounds, I have accepted his resignation and sent it to the Governor.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

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

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 Pushparaj Samantasinghar, the medical superintendent of SUM Hospital.

(With inputs from ANI)