A somber cloud hangs over Anantapur as District Collector O. Anand has initiated an urgent three-member committee inquiry into the tragic death of a one-and-a-half-month-old infant at a Shishu Gruha (child care home) in the district. In a statement released on Sunday (October 5, 2025), the Collector confirmed the formation of the committee, comprising prominent officials: Dr. O.B. Devi, District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO); M. Nagamani, Project Director of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS); and Dr. Ravikumar, Head of the Department of Paediatrics at Government General Hospital. Their immediate mandate is to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a comprehensive report.
Collector Anand emphasized that decisive action would be taken against anyone found responsible for the baby’s death, based on the committee’s findings. He also assured continuous high-level oversight of the incident.
On Sunday evening, the appointed committee members wasted no time, visiting the Shishu Gruha. They conducted separate interrogations with key personnel, including facility manager Deepti, social worker Lakshmi Devi, ayahs (caregivers), ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives), and the coordinator.
The inquiry follows serious allegations suggesting that some caregivers at the facility may have neglected to feed milk to the infant, potentially leading to the baby’s untimely demise. The committee members indicated that their detailed report would be promptly forwarded to the District Collector for further necessary steps.