Bhubaneswar, March 16 (AINS) The government of Odisha has officially established a single-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the devastating fire incident that occurred in the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, resulting in the loss of ten patients' lives.

As per the announcement from the Odisha Home Department, the state has regarded this incident as a matter of significant public concern.

“The State Government is profoundly troubled by this situation and believes that, given its serious public importance, it should be investigated by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry in accordance with the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952,” stated the notification.

Retired District Judge Laxmidhar Biswal has been appointed as the sole member of this commission, which is expected to conclude its investigation within a 60-day timeframe from the date of the notification's publication in the Odisha Gazette.

The commission is tasked with investigating the events that led to the fire, assessing the behavior and responsibility of involved individuals and authorities, and evaluating the hospital's preparedness for such emergencies, as well as the effectiveness of measures implemented before and after the incident to protect patient lives.

Furthermore, the government has directed the commission to propose strategies to avert similar catastrophes in the future.

The commission will operate primarily from Cuttack but may conduct inquiries at other locations deemed necessary, as outlined in the notification.

This announcement follows mounting public outrage regarding the incident, which also left numerous patients in critical condition. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi previously declared a judicial inquiry and promised rigorous action against any negligence that may have led to this tragedy.

A six-member fact-finding team, led by Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, has also been formed to probe the causes behind the fire.

The SCB fire has sparked renewed discussions about hospital safety protocols, particularly in intensive care units, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and emergency readiness. The judicial inquiry aims to deliver a thorough report on accountability, lapses, and preventive actions necessary to protect lives in the future.

Reports indicate that a significant fire erupted in the ICU of the Trauma Care center at SCB Medical College due to a suspected electrical short circuit between 2 AM and 3 AM on Monday. Seven critically injured patients passed away immediately, while three others died after being transferred to different ICUs.