No doctor would refuse treatment to brutally sexually assaulted child: Supreme Court
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Supreme Court warned two Ghaziabad private hospitals and a doctor for refusing treatment to a minor girl who was brutally sexually assaulted and later died. The Court said no doctor worth their salt would refuse treatment to such a child, and if the hospitals fail to voluntarily compensate the parents, it will impose costs with a chilling impact.
Background
The case involves a minor girl who was grievously injured due to brutal sexual assault. Her father alleged that two private hospitals in Ghaziabad (Khajan Singh Manvi Health Care and St Joseph Hospital) and a BAMS doctor refused to provide immediate treatment, leading to her death. The Supreme Court had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which found credence in the father's charge.
Key facts
Supreme Court bench comprising CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard the case.
The Court warned two Ghaziabad private hospitals and a doctor for refusing treatment to a minor girl who was brutally sexually assaulted.
The doctor pleaded he was only a BAMS doctor and lacked wherewithal to treat such a patient.
The bench said if a doctor cannot give medical assistance to a grievously injured child, they should not prefix 'Dr' before their name.
The Court asked the hospitals to voluntarily compensate the parents or face penalty with a chilling impact.
The SIT found credence in the father's charge that private hospitals refused immediate treatment.
The Court described the approach of the hospitals and local police as 'completely indifferent, inhuman, and insensitive'.
The case highlights the alleged indifference of private hospitals and police officers at Nandgram police station.
Prelims pointers
- Supreme Court bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
- BAMS: Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
- SIT: Special Investigation Team
- Ghaziabad: city in Uttar Pradesh, NCR
- Nandgram: police station in Ghaziabad
Mains angles
- GS2: Judiciary - Role of Supreme Court in ensuring access to emergency medical care and protecting rights of children.
- GS2: Social Justice - Issues related to child sexual abuse, healthcare access, and compensation for victims.
- GS2: Polity - Accountability of private hospitals and police in handling crimes against children.
- GS2: Health - Emergency medical treatment obligations under law (e.g., Clinical Establishments Act, Supreme Court guidelines on emergency care).