MUMBAI: Reports claim that as many as 17 patients lost their lives in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in 24 hours. These are patients who have sought treatment for various diseases. The relatives of the deceased patients say that the lack of proper treatment is behind the deaths. After the incident became controversial, the government has appointed a special committee to investigate.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital at Kalwa in Thane is a major government hospital that receives patients from neighbouring districts. The hospital explained that the cause of death was the age and health of the patients. But the relatives allege that the services of doctors were not available in proportion to the number of patients. There are allegations that the staff did not want to admit the patients to the ICU despite their acute condition. Following the protests of the relatives, Minister Deepak Kesarkar assured that strict action will be taken if it is found that there has been a failure in providing treatment. Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant said that the hospital management has been directed to submit the investigation report within two days.

At the same time, the opposition party, NCP, came forward and criticized Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on the issue and demanded that the Thane MP should respond on the issue. NCP president Sharad Pawar had earlier responded that it is regrettable that the administration has not woken up and worked despite the continuous deaths.