Sensitive files destroyed in mysterious fire at AIIMS

NEW DELHI: Thousands of files pertaining to departmental inquiries, legal documents and estate records were destroyed in a fire that broke out at AIIMS in the early hours on Saturday. Though the officials are tightlipped about the cause of the fire, a section of the faculty has not ruled out foul play in the incident.
Sources said the porta-cabin on the top floor of AIIMS administrative block, which houses legal section, caught fire around 3am.Many computers containing sensitive information were also destroyed before the fire brigade reached the spot. However, there was no casualty.
“We received a call at 5.45am. The fire had engulfed the portable cabin and our officials struggled till 6.40am to stop it from spreading to other buildings,” said A K Sharma, director, Delhi Fire Services. Sources said police were not informed about the matter till 7pm, more than 12 hours after the incident took place.
AIIMS spokesperson Dr Amit Gupta said: “The deputy director (administration) is looking into the matter. If he suspects sabotage, the police will be informed.” He said prima facie this looked like a case of fire caused due to a short-circuit.
Another senior official claimed that most of the audit and legal documents were available with them since they have multiple copies. “No sensitive documents have been lost,” he said.
However, some faculty members have demanded a detailed police investigation into the matter. They allege it could be a deliberate act to destroy files relating to land purchases and corruption cases.

“Only three days ago, the Delhi high court had issued a notice to the Union health ministry in a PIL seeking a CBI inquiry into corruption cases at AIIMS,” said a senior faculty member, who did not want to be identified. Vigilance inquiries conducted recently have found inconsistencies in the purchase of medical equipment, renovation of doctors’ rooms and tendering process for new projects, sources said.
Another issues being raised is about structural safety of other porta-cabins set at AIIMS. TOI had in 2012 highlighted that the temporary structures were being constructed at AIIMS in violation of fire safety norms. Besides this, the mandatory clearance was also not taken from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for the same.
There are six portable cabins at AIIMS having electrical systems, air-conditioning units and costly bathroom fittings. The cost of putting up a temporary structure is anywhere between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh.