AP High Court allows trial of Dr Ramesh Babu in Swarna Palace fire accident case in Vijayawada

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday has allowed the trial of Dr Ramesh Babu, the accused in the Vijayawada Swarna Palace covid center fire accident case. The court on Friday issued orders granting permission for the government to take him to custodial trial. The Andhra Pradesh police will take the accused into custody from November 30 to December 2. However, the High Court directed that the trial be conducted under the supervision of Ramesh Babu's lawyer.

At least 10 people have been killed and 20 others injured in a fire accident at the Swarna Palace (Ramesh Hospital) hotel run by a private covid care center. Earlier, the High Court has stayed all further proceedings in the cases filed against Ramesh Hospital MD Dr. Pothineni Ramesh Babu and Chairman M Sitaram Mohana Rao who moved the court seeking dismissal of the case registered against them by the Governorpeta police in connection with the Swarna Palace fire incident case.

Justice Donadi Ramesh issued interim orders to this effect. However, the Andhra Pradesh government has approached the Supreme Court challenging these orders. However, the police filed a petition to permit the trial, which was granted by the High Court. With this, Ramesh Babu, who had been away from the trial for the last few months in the Swarna Palace incident will have to appear before the police.