A 32-year-old woman and her newborn died after a delivery at a private hospital in Faizabad, where the procedure was allegedly carried out by untrained staff while the doctor gave instructions over the phone.

The health department has sealed the hospital and started an inquiry. The incident took place late Tuesday night at Maa Parmeshwari Devi Memorial Hospital. Soni Yadav had been admitted after she developed labour pains.

Her husband, Suresh Yadav, said the attending doctor, Anjali Shrivastava, had initially told the family that her condition was normal. The family alleged that the doctor was not present during the delivery.

A staff member conducted the procedure while speaking to the doctor over the phone.

"After about half an hour, the staff handed over the baby and said he was not breathing. When we took the newborn to a nearby doctor, he was declared dead. Upon returning, we were told my wife's condition had worsened. She was then taken to another hospital, where she was also declared dead," Suresh Yadav alleged.

The family accused the hospital of negligence and said no qualified doctor was present during the delivery. A team from the health department inspected the facility after receiving the complaint.

Additional chief medical officer Dr Ashutosh Shrivastava said no doctor or trained medical staff were present during the inspection. A man identified as Mahesh Singh, who said he was the hospital manager, was found handling operations.

"Three women who had undergone caesarean sections were also admitted there, and their care was left to the manager," the ACMO said.

Officials said hospital records were incomplete. The doctor’s credentials were not produced, and medical waste management was found to be unsatisfactory.

"The hospital has been sealed and the admitted patients have been shifted to the district women's hospital. Further investigation is underway, and an FIR will be registered if negligence is established," the ACMO said, adding that the doctor is currently untraceable.

Suresh Yadav said he had married Soni, a resident of Mukimpur in Inayat Nagar, in April last year and the family was expecting their first child.

"Our happiness has been shattered due to the hospital's negligence," he said, demanding action against those responsible. The health department said further steps will depend on the findings of the inquiry.