Nurse gave the acid that was applied, says attendant

The hospital attendant who had administered acid instead of an anti-septic to a woman who had delivered a baby at the Lalbag Sub-Divisional Hospital told Hindustan Times on Thursday she got the liquid from a nurse.

The hospital attendant who had administered acid instead of an anti-septic to a woman who had delivered a baby at the Lalbag Sub-Divisional Hospital told Hindustan Times on Thursday she got the liquid from a nurse.

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She is now living in a hidden place under the directions of the hospital staff. HT contacted her in her hiding-spot.

The Murshidabad health department has issued showcause notice to 10 hospital staff members for mishandling the case of Sikha Bibi, 32.

Sikha was admitted to hospital on Monday and was allegedly washed with acid after she gave birth to a stillborn baby. She is still in hospital with critical burn injuries.

The district administration exhumed the body of Sikha's baby on Thursday for autopsy. The attendant (ayah), Usha Hazra, told HT: "I have been working at the hospital for the past two years but never has this kind of thing happened before."

"A nurse told me to clean Sikha and gave me a liquid for this purpose," she said.

Murshidabad district magistrate Parwez Ahmed Siddiqui said, "The victim has lodged a written complaint with the police."