On a normal Saturday, the district administration of Jajpur Road/Dharmasala had to take the difficult decision of sealing Laxmi Hospital. This was due to a troubling case involving the delivery of a minor girl who was allegedly impregnated by a 70-year-old man. The incident had caused quite an uproar in the community, leading to the arrest of the hospital owner and the accused, who were then taken to court.
According to officials, the whole ordeal began when a complaint was lodged at the Jajpur Road police station last Sunday evening. It was reported that a 16-year-old girl, who was residing in a rented house in the Kopanda area under Vyasanagar Municipality, was pregnant. The accused, identified as 70-year-old Padmanabh Satpathy, was said to have been in an illicit relationship with the minor, resulting in her being seven months pregnant. As if that wasn't bad enough, the girl later complained of abdominal pain, which led to her being admitted to Laxmi Hospital for delivery.
After receiving news of the case, a team led by the Chief District Medical Officer visited the hospital on Monday to launch an investigation. However, due to ongoing treatment of other patients, the hospital could not be sealed immediately. It was decided that arrangements would be made to shift the patients before sealing the hospital.
Finally, on Saturday, the district health department, in conjunction with the administration and the presence of police, took the necessary steps to vacate the premises and seal the hospital. The incident has sparked further investigation into the matter, and the authorities are working diligently to uncover the truth. Such incidents are a cause for concern and must be dealt with swiftly and efficiently to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. This is a developing story, and Orissa POST – Odisha's No.1 English Daily will continue to provide updates as they become available.
