Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the strictest possible action will be taken against those found responsible

Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 17:08:40 IST

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The Maharashtra government on Monday ordered an inquiry into the Amravati fire that claimed the lives of three newborn babies.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the strictest possible action will be taken against those found responsible and also announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased. The government will bear the treatment costs for those injured in the incident.

State public health minister Prakash Abitkar said a committee will be constituted on Monday to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident. The committee will comprise the commissioner, experts from AIIMS, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), and the chief electrical engineer of the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB).

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The committee will submit its report within eight days, following which strict action will be taken against everyone found responsible.

It will be examined whether all prescribed fire safety norms were followed at the hospital. The inquiry will also include a comprehensive audit of the machinery and an assessment of the functioning of smoke detectors, sprinklers, and other fire safety systems. The minister said any failure, negligence, or lapse identified during the probe will be examined in detail, and responsibility will be fixed.

Abitkar said the incident raised serious questions, particularly since the hospital building was constructed only two years ago. The inquiry will ascertain the reasons for the lapse and determine what measures were required, including whether all necessary safety provisions and procedures had been properly implemented.

The minister also said the inquiry will examine whether mandatory fire safety audits were conducted on time. “Our rules regarding fire safety audits are clear,” he said, adding that any delay will be investigated to determine whether it was caused by negligence or any other lapse.

The availability of funds for carrying out safety measures will also form part of the probe. Abitkar said if there was a shortage of funds, the concerned authorities should have raised the requirement and sought the necessary funds.

Abitkar said the government will learn from the tragedy and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“No one responsible will be spared,” he said, adding that while the lives of the three newborns lost in the tragedy could not be brought back, accountability will be fixed and measures would be taken to ensure that such an incident does not recur.

The minister said the contractor responsible for the hospital project will also be blacklisted if found responsible for any lapse.

Meanwhile, the state government plans to hold a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of government and private hospitals to review compliance with fire safety audit norms. Clear directives will be issued to ensure strict implementation of all fire safety requirements and prompt action to address any lapses.

Meanwhile, the Opposition slammed the government, alleging negligence.

NCP (SP) working president and Baramati MP Supriya Sule said the deaths were not merely an accident but reflected “negligence and systemic lapses”.

“There is also an urgent need to conduct fire audits of all government and private hospitals across Maharashtra, along with safety audits of medical equipment,” Sule said.

Former Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar questioned whether the deaths were the result of a “systemic failure” in the government healthcare system. He said the deaths raised serious questions about the safety standards being maintained in government hospitals.

Wadettiwar questioned whether fire safety systems, regular inspection of medical equipment, and maintenance of oxygen and electrical systems were being neglected and asked who should be held responsible for such lapses.

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