Only a year old, Tanvee had celebrated her birthday just a week earlier. She has already lived through a life-altering experience—though, fortunately, she may never remember it. Yet, some traumas stay etched into one’s being well into adolescence and adulthood.
The tragedy that unfolded at the Vivek Vihar nursing home continues to cast a long shadow over Tanvee’s life. Her father, Deepak Gautam, has noticed troubling behavioural changes.
“The slightest noise wakes her up,” Gautam said. “Most nights, we are living through sleepless nights as she lies awake crying her eyes out.”
On May 25, 2024, a devastating fire at Baby Care New Born Hospital in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar claimed the lives of seven newborns. According to the Delhi Police’s 796-page charge sheet, the hospital lacked fire safety equipment and staff failed to respond promptly. The blaze, which started around 11.30 PM, spread to two adjacent buildings, with exploding oxygen cylinders causing further damage.
The hospital’s owner, Naveen Khichi, and a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) practitioner, Akash, who was on duty that night, were arrested. The charge sheet includes statements from 81 witnesses, along with forensic reports.
Investigations revealed multiple violations: the hospital had 12 beds despite only being licensed for five in 2021, and its renewal application was pending. No fire safety documentation was found. The facility employed only BAMS doctors, bypassing the requirement for General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) staff with Delhi Nursing Council (DNC) registration.
The accused had declared five Category B and 15 Category D oxygen cylinders during licensing, but 31 cylinders were found at the site.
No progress in court, no charges framed
Even after the charge sheet was filed, progress in court has been dismal. Reportedly, none of the 81 witnesses have testified before the district court. The case remains unheard, and charges have yet to be framed against Khichi and Akash.
According to officers associated with the case, most of the past year was consumed by bail proceedings. Both accused were granted bail in March 2025. So far, the only witness depositions occurred during the bail hearing in the Delhi High Court—not in the ongoing criminal case before Karkardooma court.
The slow pace of justice has begun to weigh heavily on the parents of the affected children. Many say their children are still dealing with psychological issues, even as the justice system offers little response.
‘It’s almost as if no one wants to hear us’
Madhuraj Kumar, father of Shivansh, said he is still waiting for justice.
“Thankfully, the effects of the night don’t show up often in his behaviour,” Kumar said. “There are some nights when he cannot go to sleep and cries a lot, but I think that’s fairly normal in children. Apart from that, there are no serious effects.”
Both Kumar and Gautam received compensation of Rs 50,000 for injured infants. Immediately after the fire, Rs 20,000 had been offered as initial relief. But families say this barely scratched the surface of the medical expenses they incurred.
Deepa Gautam, mother of Tanvee and an elder daughter, said she knew the accused would be granted bail due to their influence.
“I knew that the accused would be released on bail the moment they stepped into court because they’re influential, and we’re poor. No one wants to hear our pleas—not even the government, which only gave us Rs 70,000 as compensation, when I’d already spent Rs one lakh on my baby’s treatment,” she said.
“My husband also lost a significant portion of his salary because he had to take time off work to visit the hospital while our baby was being treated after her rescue, but the government didn’t take that into account.”
She added: “My baby was born via Caesarean section, and I can’t imagine the pain of the mothers who lost their babies after going through such a surgery. It’s almost as if I can hear their cries. I still remember a father who kept returning to the place, saying he hadn’t found his child yet, and then the government thinks such suffering is worth just Rs 70,000 in compensation.”
Grief that doesn’t fade
A similar sense of pain pervades the home of Mithlesh Kumar, father of Shiv Kumar and husband of Richa Kumar. The couple had already lost their daughter—Shiv’s twin—shortly after birth at a hospital in Noida.
“We didn’t even get the chance to name our daughter when she was admitted at a private hospital in Noida,” said Mithlesh. “After the Vivek Vihar fire took place, we were already on the edge. Honestly, we had lost all hope of resuscitating our son as well. Fortunately, he emerged unscathed from the tragedy. We have received the promised sum, but we are just glad that our son is still alive and well.”
Also Read: Delhi Hospital Fire: Accused got license despite similar pending case
According to affected families, the nursing home charged Rs 20,000 for admission, followed by an additional Rs 7,000 per day. Many are still struggling to recover, emotionally and financially, from a night that stole the innocence of their children and peace from their lives.
Of the seven children who died, one had reportedly passed away before the fire began. Five others were injured in the blaze.
