A local court on 24th June ordered inquiry after filing of a petition against Union Health Minister and Bihar Health Minister over deaths of large number of children due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar.

Taking cognizance of the matter, Chief Judicial Magistrate Surya Kant Tiwari, while transferring the case to the court of additional chief judicial magistrate Richa Bhargav ordered an inquiry into it. The court posted the matter for next hearing on June 28. As it is, a social activist Tamanna Hashmi had filed the petition in the court of CJM on June 17 against Union health minister and State health minister.

Mr Hashmi had filed the petition under sections 308, 323 and 504 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) over deaths of children due to AES. In the petition, Mr Hashmi had alleged that the negligence on part of Union health minister and State health minister was responsible for deaths of children due to AES.