Allahabad HC slams deplorable state of Swarup Rani Nehru Hospital, orders urgent action against corruption
New Delhi: In a scathing indictment of the state of public healthcare in Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court on Saturday came down heavily on the condition of Swarup Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital, calling it a 'mortuary' instead of a hospital.
The bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Dr Arvind Kumar Gupta, issued a series of stringent orders to both medical and administrative authorities in Prayagraj.
The court expressed outrage over the unhygienic, dysfunctional and corrupt state of affairs at SRN, Colvin, and Dufferin hospitals. Justice Agarwal directed the Municipal Commissioner to ensure that all three hospitals were thoroughly cleaned and restored to proper working condition within 48 hours. He also instructed the hospital staff and administration to fully cooperate in the clean-up drive.
Taking note of severe allegations regarding absentee doctors, poor infrastructure, and illegal private practice, the court ordered raids on the residences of all doctors and professors associated with SRN. 'Form a team of two to three honest officers and raid the homes of doctors. Take strict action and file FIRs against those involved in unauthorised private practice,' the court instructed.
In a pointed rebuke to the SRN hospital administration, the Single In-Charge (SIC) and Deputy SIC were questioned about alleged bribery in the operation of private ambulances. 'Are these ambulances running through corruption? If you don't fix this, I'll send you to Naini jail in this 45-degree heat,' the judge warned.
The amicus curiae's report, which revealed shocking details of negligence and malpractice, played a pivotal role in the court's severe stance.
It was noted that basic amenities like water, fans, and air-conditioning were missing in the hospital, while doctors were frequently absent. Brokers from private diagnostic centres were seen roaming within hospital premises, allegedly luring patients away for profit.
The court further criticised the local administration, municipal authorities, and elected representatives of Prayagraj for failing to uphold their duties, especially in the run-up to Maha Kumbh 2025, during which over 66 crore devotees are expected.
'Had a major accident occurred, the consequences would have been catastrophic,' said the court.
The High Court directed the Municipal Commissioner to initiate an investigation into the private medical shops operating outside the SRN hospital. It also made the presence of the hospital superintendent, deputy SIC, and chief medical officer mandatory for the next hearing scheduled on May 29.
Justice Agarwal concluded with a strong message: 'If things don't improve, why not shut down SRN Hospital altogether?'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
9 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Bouncers at school to block entry of students reprehensible: HC pulls up DPS Dwarka amid fee hike row
A reprehensible practice like deploying bouncers to block entry of students has no place in an institute of learning, the Delhi High Court said on Thursday as it pulled up DPS Dwarka for disregarding the dignity of a child, and expressed 'dismay' amid a row over the fee hike issue. 'Public shaming or intimidation of a student on account of financial default, especially through force or coercive action, not only constitutes mental harassment but also undermines the psychological well-being and self-worth of a child,' the High Court underlined. Justice Sachin Datta recorded the observations in a verdict while deciding an application moved by parents of 32 students who were expelled by the school over non-payment of pending dues. Noting that DPS Dwarka had subsequently withdrawn the expulsion order and had reinstated the students, making the application moot, the court observed, 'This court is also constrained to express its dismay at the alleged conduct of the petitioner school in engaging bouncers to physically block entry of certain students into the school premises.' 'Such a reprehensible practice has no place in an institute of learning. It reflects not only disregard to the dignity of a child but also a fundamental misunderstanding of a school's role in society. The use of bouncers fosters a climate of fear, humiliation and exclusion that is incompatible with the fundamental ethos of a school,' the court underlined. The court also reiterated that a school 'cannot be equated with a purely commercial establishment' as a school is 'rooted not in profit maximisation but in public welfare, nation building and the holistic development of children.' 'The primary objective of a school is to impart education and inculcate values, not to operate as a business enterprise…The school, no doubt, is entitled to charge appropriate fees, especially given the financial outlay required to sustain infrastructure, remunerate staff and provide a conducive learning environment. However, the school is different from a normal commercial establishment, since it carries with it fiduciary and moral responsibilities towards its students,' the court recorded. The bench further underlined that in case the school decides to take any action in future under Rule 35 of the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973, which deals with striking off of students from the school's roll, it will issue a prior communication – specifically putting the students concerned or their parents or guardians to notice — as to the date on which the students are proposed to be struck off the rolls. The school is bound to give a reasonable opportunity to show cause against such action, the court said. Disposing of the application, the High Court emphasised that the parents concerned 'are obliged to adhere and comply with the orders passed by this Court as regards payment of requisite fees to the school.' Earlier on May 16, the High Court, observing that there is no embargo on schools hiking fees, had directed DPS Dwarka to allow the 102 students, whose parents had moved the court against the fee hike, to continue their studies, provided they deposit 50% of the hiked school fee for the 2024-25 academic year.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
‘Scolding Or Workload Alone Not Abetment To Suicide': Allahabad HC Grants Bail To MLA
Last Updated: The court gave bail to Jahid Baig, a Samajwadi Party MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi, in a case involving the suicide of an 18-year-old domestic help The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Jahid Baig (aka Jahid Jamal Beg), a Samajwadi Party MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi constituency, in a case involving the suicide of an 18-year-old domestic help, Nazia, who had been working in his home for nearly a decade. The bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh, while allowing the bail plea, held that there was no prima facie evidence to establish abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, by the legislator or his family members. The incident occurred on the night of September 8-9, 2024, when Nazia was found hanging in a storeroom on the third floor of the MLA's residence. Her death sparked concerns of child labour and alleged harassment in a politically sensitive setting. Another minor girl, Moni alias Sania, was rescued from the same household the next day during a joint raid ordered by the district magistrate. According to Moni's statement, both girls were often overburdened and scolded, sometimes even slapped. However, the court observed that such statements, while concerning, did not amount to instigation under the law. Nazia's father Imran and cousin Zubair initially refrained from making any accusations against the applicant. Later, Nazia's mother submitted an application under Section 173(4) BNSS against a young man named Abhishek Saroj, claiming that Nazia had been in a relationship with him and was being blackmailed over intimate photographs, which allegedly led to her suicide. The single-judge bench placed weight on Nazia's call records, which showed extended conversations with Abhishek in the hours leading up to her death. It noted that these details, combined with the mother's complaint, 'supported and corroborated" the theory that the alleged blackmail may have triggered her suicide. Further undermining the prosecution's case was the unexplained five-day delay in lodging the FIR, despite the police and district officials visiting the scene on September 10, a day after the suicide. 'As per statement of Moni with whom deceased-Nazia was working in the house of the applicant, that sometimes applicant scolded the deceased for work. Even assuming the same as correct at this stage, the same cannot be categorised as instigation or abetment to commit suicide," the court held, adding that there was no suicide note, no direct incitement by the applicant, and no allegations of abetment from the deceased's parents. However, the court emphasised that its findings were restricted to bail and should not influence the merits of the ongoing trial. Jahid Baig, who had been in custody since September 19, 2024, was directed to cooperate with the proceedings and barred from leaving the country. First Published:
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Fee row: Delhi HC dismayed over DPS Dwarka using bouncers to block students
The Delhi High Court on Thursday called out Delhi Public School, Dwarka, for using "bouncers" to block the entry of students in its premises over a fee dispute. Noting such a practice had no place in an institution of learning, Justice Sachin Datta said public shaming and intimidation of a student due to financial default did not only constitute mental harassment but also undermined the psychological well being and self-worth of a child. The court said though the school was entitled to charge appropriate fees, especially given the financial outlay required to sustain infrastructure, remunerate staff and provide a conducive learning environment, it is a place different from a normal commercial establishment and carried fiduciary and moral responsibilities towards students. "This court is also constrained to express its dismay at the alleged conduct of the petitioner school in engaging 'bouncers' to physically block entry of certain students into the school premises. Such a reprehensible practice has no place in an institute of learning. It reflects not only disregard to the dignity of a child but also fundamental misunderstanding of a school's role in the society," its order read. The order came on a plea against the removal of over 30 students by the school over the issue of fee. At the time of pronouncing the order, the court was informed by the school's counsel that the order debarring 31 students was withdrawn and were reinstated. The court said the controversy raised in the parents' application was "moot" point. "However, it is clarified that if the school seeks to take any action in future by taking recourse to Rule 35 of the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973, then the school will (i) issue a prior communication specifically putting the concerned students and/ or their parents/ guardians to notice as to the date on which the students are proposed to be struck off the rolls; (ii) give a reasonable opportunity to showcause against such action," it said. The court said the parents concerned were obliged to adhere to and comply with the orders passed by the coordinate bench of the high court regarding payment of requisite fees to the school. The May 16 order of the coordinate bench which directed parents to deposit 50 per cent of the hiked fees for academic year 2025-26 following which their wards will be allowed to continue their studies in the classes, gave clear and cogent directions on the amount of the fees payable, it added. The court had previously clarified that the rebate of 50 per cent was on the hiked component of the fee and the base fee should be paid in full. Justice Datta on Thursday observed the use of bouncers fostered a "climate of fear, humiliation and exclusion" which was incompatible with the fundamental ethos of a school. The driving force and character of a school, particularly a school such as the petitioner (DPS, Dwarka), run by a pre-eminent society, was rooted not in profit maximisation but in public welfare, nation building and the holistic development of children, the judge said. The court underlined education and inculcation of values to be a school's primary objective and not operating as a business enterprise. The school had previously refuted allegations of profiteering and argued it was running on deficit and due notices were sent to the parents. The school's counsel said the school had a deficit of ₹31 crore accumulated over the last 10 years. The students were expelled on May 9 following which the parents filed an application in a pending petition of the school. The school moved the high court in July 2024, challenging a July 18, 2024 notice of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, directing the deputy commissioner of police to register an FIR under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act against the school.
