The Andhra Pradesh High Court has sustained the dismissal of two staff members at a government-operated child care centre in Anantapur following an investigation that found them negligent in the death of a one-month-old infant. However, the court overturned the termination of a social worker attached to the facility, ruling that her role did not place her at the scene during the incident.
Court Validates Negligence Findings
In an August 17 ruling, Justice Nyapathy Vijay dismissed petitions filed by a former manager and a nurse at the Sishugruha facility. The judge noted that employment-related disciplinary actions require a preponderance of probability rather than absolute proof, finding sufficient grounds to hold the two employees responsible for lapses in care.
Inconsistent Statements and Cause of Death
A three-member inquiry committee set up after the infant’s death revealed significant coordination failures among the facility staff. The panel determined that the child likely died from aspiration.
The court pointed out severe discrepancies in the testimonies provided by the employees, noting that while the manager and nurse stated the baby suffered from loose motions, another worker claimed the child had vomited at the same time. Justice Vijay remarked that it was unusual for the infant to be reported in good health at 7:30 p.m. before dying a few hours later. The court concluded that these conflicting narratives undermined claims that staff had not been negligent.
Social Worker Exonerated Based on Scope of Duties
While upholding action against the manager and nurse, the High Court quashed the termination order issued against the facility’s social worker. Appointed in June 2014, her primary duties involved field work for district adoption services, including preparing child study reports and conducting adoption awareness programs under the guidance of the Integrated Child Development Services project director.
The court observed that no evidence or employee statements indicated she was instructed to report to the Sishugruha facility on the night of the tragedy. Consequently, state authorities were directed to re-evaluate her case in light of her designated official responsibilities.
Funding Delays Rejected as Defense
During the proceedings, the staff members argued against their dismissal by pointing out systemic operational challenges at the centre. They submitted that salaries had been unpaid since July 2025, while state maintenance grants for the facility and individual child allowances had been halted since April 2025. They also noted that no doctor was present on site when the infant deteriorated.
Addressing these arguments, the court acknowledged that administrative delays in releasing funds occur frequently. However, Justice Vijay held that unpaid remuneration and delayed maintenance grants cannot be cited as valid grounds to justify negligence in caring for children.
Timeline of the Incident
The case stems from the death of a 30-day-old boy who was surrendered to the Anantapur Sishugruha on August 30, 2025, weighing approximately 1.75 kilograms. The infant was taken to a government hospital for a medical check-up and immunisation on September 4, 2025.
On October 1, 2025, the child developed loose motions and received oral rehydration solutions. On the night of October 2, his condition deteriorated, and he was pronounced dead at 3:20 a.m. the following morning. The subsequent inquiry panel visit and interviews with staff led to show-cause notices and the eventual termination of the three workers, which was subsequently challenged in court.
