Odisha suspends officials over fire tragedy

Three days after 12 persons died in fire tragedy in SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, the Odisha government on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) placed four government officers under suspensions for dereliction of duty.

The disciplinary action was taken even as different inquiries were going on to find lapses leading to fire.

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As per a statement issued by Chief Minister’s Office, the suspended officials include Deputy Fire Officer Prakash Kumar Jena and Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeeb Kumar Behera of the Cuttack Circle, Station Officer Abhinab Prusti of SCB Medical College and Hospital, and Assistant Executive Engineer Ranjan Kumar Biswal of the SCB Sub-Division under the General Electrical Division (GED).

While a judicial commission of inquiry headed by retired district judge has been announced to find out lapses that caused fire and suggest measures to prevent recurring of such tragedy, the government also constituted a six member administrative fact finding team to probe the incident. (EOM)