'I will sue Delhi University'

Deepak Jain who was afflicted by radiation is back, vows action against everyone responsible for the mishap

He has lost a considerable amount of hair and his blood count is yet to reach the normal levels but Deepak Jain is a man on a mission now.

Along with him, Ajay Jain - a fellow scrap dealer - was also discharged.

Speaking to MiD DAY, Deepak said he would take legal action against the Delhi University for its irresponsible behaviour in which it disposed off the Gamma Irradiator machine due to which he was exposed to the radioactive Cobalt-60.

"I am going to sue the Delhi University. Had they behaved responsibly and disposed off the machine in a proper manner the incident would not have taken place," he told MiD DAY.
Deepak said he got the radioactive Cobalt-60 from Ajay. While Ajay said he got the element from another scrap-dealer.

Eight residents of Mayapuri were hospitalised with suppressed bone marrow and severe burns following exposure to the radioactive material that came out of the Gamma Irradiator machine sold as scrap by DU.

Brigadier Velu Nair, head of department of haematology, AHR&R and physician who attended to the two scrap dealers said, "We have advised them on the dos and don'ts but they are fit to be discharged. We have asked them to come for regular check-up.

The Other Side

"It is a democratic country. Anybody can lodge a court case against anybody. If they feel so, they can go to court against the university. We will respond as and when something comes up." Deepak Pental, Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University

A bone marrow transplant is not ruled out completely. We will conduct a blood test at regular intervals and after some time the bone marrow test to see whether they are recovering or not,"

"We have advised them complete rest and no work till our next routine check-up. Ajay cannot sit properly due to the burns on the back side and Deepak has lost a considerable amount of hair," the senior physician said.
Ajay's wife and child are also under observation as the Cobalt-60 was with them since March 10. Though they have shown no symptoms of radiation exposure yet, said the doctors.

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