Hyderabad: The aftermath of the recent fire incident at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) is exposing a string of concealed controversies, with developments around the mysterious suitcase and illegal firecracker storage cases now coming to light. An officer reportedly at the centre of these incidents has allegedly admitted that the suitcases discovered at the site belonged to him—suggesting he may have considered himself caught red-handed.
While his statement appears to offer some clarity in the suitcase case, the firecracker angle remains clouded in evasions. Sources indicate that the officer, who has already been linked to several controversial episodes at NIMS, is suspected of trying to shift blame onto other medical officials reputed for their integrity. The motive appears to be an attempt to deflect accountability as the vigilance investigation intensifies.
Key questions still hang over the suitcase episode: Why were these suitcases hidden in a ward lacking CCTV coverage? Were they empty or did they contain undisclosed contents? And most importantly, what necessitated storing them in such a location? These are among the questions that the ongoing probe aims to answer.
Adding further complication, officials suggest that the firecrackers—illegally stored inside the hospital premises—may have remained in that same room for the past eight months. This prolonged and unlawful storage points to serious violations under the Explosives Rules, 2008, which prohibit the possession of such materials in sensitive public spaces like hospitals, schools, and fuel stations.
The fire incident, in conjunction with the discovery of the firecrackers and hidden suitcases, has prompted the vigilance department to launch a comprehensive inquiry into ongoing and past incidents at NIMS. The vigilance team that recently visited the hospital is believed to be re-examining past records connected to the implicated officer and assessing his overall conduct.
With both the suitcase and firecracker cases now linked to the broader issue of hospital mismanagement and cover-ups, the investigation is expected to widen, potentially uncovering deeper lapses in institutional accountability.