Days before a devastating fire tore through the ICU of Jaipur&rsquo;s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, killing several patients, a senior doctor had repeatedly warned the administration about electrical hazards and structural risks but his alerts went unheeded.
Dr. Anurag Dhakad, the then in-charge of the trauma centre, claimed he had submitted multiple written complaints to the hospital authorities, flagging &ldquo;current leakage&rdquo;, water seepage, and faulty wiring across operating theatres. His letters, dated September 9 and October 3, detailed how ongoing construction work in the Neuro OT on the third floor had caused severe water leakage, which had begun seeping into electrical systems in the lower floors.
According to his warning, the dampness was allowing current to pass through walls and panels, creating a serious risk for both medical staff and patients. He explicitly stated that the responsibility for any untoward incident would lie with the departments ignoring the issue.
Despite these clear warnings, no preventive action was taken. Days later, the ICU caught fire, leading to chaos, panic, and tragic loss of life. Several relatives of patients later alleged that hospital staff fled the scene as the blaze spread rapidly through the building.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Rajasthan government removed Dr. Dhakad and Medical Superintendent Dr. Sushil Bhati from their positions. An executive engineer, Mukesh Singhal, was suspended, and the fire safety agency&rsquo;s contract was terminated. Legal action has also been initiated against multiple officials connected to the maintenance and safety oversight of the hospital.
The state has ordered a high-level inquiry to determine whether the doctor&rsquo;s warnings were ignored and to establish accountability for the negligence that led to the tragedy. Initial findings indicate that poor coordination between departments, unchecked construction activity, and delayed response to safety complaints contributed to the disaster.
As the investigation continues, the SMS Hospital fire has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for stronger fire safety enforcement in government-run medical institutions. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for regular inspections, transparent maintenance protocols, and swift action on internal warnings before they turn into fatal disasters.

Doctor warned of danger before Jaipur hospital fire

Ignored warnings on current leakage led to Jaipur’s deadly SMS Hospital blaze

Doctor warned danger before Jaipur hospital fire

Ignored warnings on current leakage led to Jaipur’s deadly SMS Hospital blaze

October 8, 2025 | 24:11 IST