Police, ITBP join fresh probe into hand amputation case after Kanpur CP office gherao

Kanpur: A day after around 60 ITBP officers and personnel reached the Kanpur Commissioner of Police office, accusing district medical officers of shielding doctors at a private hospital in a case involving the amputation of a fellow jawan’s mother’s hand, a fresh probe began on Sunday. Unlike the earlier inquiry conducted only by health department officials, the new investigation includes police and ITBP experts alongside the health department.Police commissioner Raghubir Lal said that ITBP officers were confident in the police’s actions, but a joint team with ITBP officials was formed to ensure transparency. It also includes a police officer with an MBBS degree.“The police officer has prepared a list of medical questions to help identify those responsible for the hand amputation,” Lal said.On May 19, Vikas Singh of ITBP’s 32 battalion stationed at Maharajpur, created a stir after he reached the CP Office, carrying his mother’s amputated hand and alleging gross medical negligence by the private hospital.During discussions with Lal on Saturday, ITBP officers raised several issues not covered in the CMO’s report. Vikas Singh requested the police to investigate additional points.On the other hand, as a large number of ITBP soldiers arrived at the Police Commissionerate office, Lal objected to their superiors, after which more than half of them left the premises.ITBP officials maintained that there was nothing like a siege, it was just a protocol followed by ITBP soldiers.Reports said Singh admitted his mother to a private hospital in Tatmill on May 13 for breathing issues. Her hand allegedly turned black during treatment due to infection. She was later shifted to another hospital where doctors amputated the right hand on May 17.Angered by the lack of action, Singh visited the Railbazar police station and the ACP office for two consecutive days. When no steps were taken, the ITBP jawan went to the CP office, carrying his mother’s amputated hand. Lal then directed CMO Hari Dutt Nemi to investigate and submit a report.The CMO office submitted its report on Friday. The report was based on probabilities. Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal objected, saying the report should be clear and not probability-based. He asked the CMO to establish culpability and recommend whether a case should be registered.