Cuttack, Jan. 10: Orissa High Court today directed the state government to submit the inquiry report of the probe into the death of an Italian tourist at SCB Medical College and Hospital here less than a month ago.

The court issued the direction on a PIL filed by Sevak, a Chhatia (Jajpur district)-based voluntary organisation represented by its secretary Achyuta Kumar Sahoo.

Sebastian Rosario Contiguglia, a 63-year-old Italian, died on December 14 last year at the hospital after being admitted there for over a fortnight.

The petition sought a high-level inquiry into the alleged negligence in medical care and treatment that led to Contiguglia’s death and appropriate action against those responsible.

The division bench of Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Raghubir Dash asked for submission of the inquiry report after the state counsel stated that the revenue divisional commissioner (central division) had already ordered a high-level inquiry.

The commissioner, Arabinda Padhee, ordered an administrative inquiry on December 22 to ascertain the veracity of allegations. Cuttack collector Girish S.N. had undertaken the probe.

“The court directed the state counsel to submit the inquiry report in a sealed cover before the PIL is taken up for the next hearing in the week beginning January 21,” petitioner counsel Prabir Das said.

“The court also issued notices returnable by them to the chief secretary and secretary of the department of health and family welfare, revenue divisional commissioner (central division) and the SCB superintendent,” Das said.