Raipur: Takhatpur's killer doctor, R K Gupta, was arrested yesterday evening in Baloda Bazaar district of Chhattisgarh. His  botched sterilizations claimed the lives of 13 women.  It also came to light that health minister Amar Agarwal had rewarded Gupta on Republic Day this year for conducting a record 50,000 surgeries in his career.

Since the time first deaths were reported on Monday, Gupta was on the run and an FIR was lodged against him on Tuesday. Spending on an average of just two minutes per tubectomy this killer doctor had operated on 83 women in Takhatpur health camp, last Saturday.   

The traces of toxin, mainly painkiller Brufen and antibiotic Ciprofloxacin which led to organ failure were found in blood samples of the victims.  

The Chhattisgarh government yesterday banned sale of six medicines that were used in health camps.

In the meantime, a seven-member medical team from AIIMS, Delhi, visited Bilaspur to assess the condition of the victims.

The Chhattisgarh high court has taken note of the bungled sterilizations and issued notices to the Centre, state and Medical Council of India (MCI) seeking reply on the tragedy and remedial measures.

A division bench comprising Justice T P Sharma and Justice Inder Singh Uboweja has directed the government to file a reply within 10 days. For this the government has appointed two lawyers, Saleem Kazi and Sunita Jain as amicus curiae to assist the court. The NHRC too has issued notices to the state government through principal secretary, health and family welfare.