GORAKHPUR, Feb. 20 -- The licence of a private hospital in Sikriganj town in Gorakhpur was cancelled on Friday after a post-surgical infection following cataract operations left 12 patients permanently blind.

District magistrate Deepak Meena ordered immediate cancellation of the licence of New Rajesh Hi-Tech Hospital after a magisterial inquiry, headed by additional district magistrate (ADM) Sahdev Mishra, submitted its report on Thursday evening.

According to officials, around 20 patients developed serious infections after undergoing cataract surgeries at the facility on February 2. Of these, 12 patients allegedly lost vision permanently in the operated eye.

Taking cognisance of media reports, the district magistrate had ordered a mag...