Police begin probe into deaths at Chembur orphanage

Six babies from Bal Anand showed signs of dehydration, two died in hospital

The Govandi police has initiated inquiries into the deaths of two infants in an orphanage in Chembur earlier this week.

According to the Govandi police, five-month-old Khushi and 10-month-old Jaydeep, were among 52 children at the Bal Anand Orphanage in Ghatla locality of Chembur.

Rushed to hospital

The police said that on Tuesday, six children, including Khushi and Jaydeep, were rushed to Zen Hospital, Chembur, and Kohinoor Hospital, Kurla, after they showed signs of dehydration. Khushi died while under treatment on Wednesday, and Jaydeep died on Thursday. Their bodies were taken to JJ Hospital in Byculla for post-mortem.

“While an opinion on Khushi’s death has been reserved until the histopathological examination of her tissues is done, Jaydeep’s post-mortem report showed evidence of consolidation of lungs with pleural effusion, (build-up of fluid between the tissues that line the lungs and the chest). However, the final opinion on Jaydeep’s death has also been reserved,” senior police inspector Shashikant Mane, Govandi police station, said.

The police have for the moment registered Accidental Death Reports (ADRs) and are conducting further inquiries. “The record of the orphanage is clean. We are inquiring into the sequence of events on Tuesday, while waiting for the histo-pathological reports,” Mr. Mane added.

Doctors from Zen Hospital said six babies were brought to their hospital of whom one died shortly thereafter. “The babies were suffering from acute gastroenteritis with dehydration. One baby was transferred to a hospital in Kurla. All other babies are doing well and will be discharged soon,” Dr. Roy Patankar, Director, Zen Hospital said in a statement released on Saturday.