HIV-hit thalassemic kids: CBI submits report in HC

Ahmedabad : The CBI Tuesday submitted its status report before the Gujarat High Court in connection with 23 thalassemic children who contracted HIV reportedly during blood transfusion at Junagadh civil hospital in September 2011. The 12-page report was submitted in sealed cover before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala. CBI counsel Yogesh Ravani said the next hearing been scheduled for February 13.

In 2011, 23 thalassemic children in Junagadh were reported to have contracted HIV. Following the report and police’s refusal to lodge an FIR, their parents filed an PIL before the High Court alleging that doctors of civil hospital and authorities of Sarvodaya Blood Bank were responsible for this.

The High Court handed over the probe to CBI in June 2012. Following the court’s order, CBI registered a fresh FIR. So far, the central agency has submitted three such probe reports, including this one.