2L compensation for woman who delivered baby after sterilization op

Time of India

04-06-2025

Prayagraj: Taking serious note of failed sterilisation that led to childbirth, permanent Lok Adalat, Prayagraj on Wednesday directed state government to provide compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the applicant Anita Devi to help her maintain the unwanted child.
The court also directed the state to provide Rs 5,000 per month to meet the girl child's expenses on school fee, food and upbringing till she completes her graduation or attains age of 18 years, whichever earlier.
The permanent Lok Adalat chairman Viqar Ahmed Ansari, members Richa Pathak and Satyendra Mishra also directed to pay compensation of Rs 20,000 for failure of sterilisation and for mental and physical agony, which the applicant had to undergo all these years.
The application was filed by Anita Devi complaining against chief medical officer Allahabad for medical negligence in sterilization operation.
The complainant, a poor woman, who already had several children, opted for sterilisation and her operation was conducted by doctor Neelima on Oct 25, 2013. The doctor had assured her she would not beget any child in future. On developing some complications she got an ultrasound done on Jan 31, 2014 and in the report, it came to light that she was 16 weeks pregnant and she later delivered a baby girl.
As such, she filed the present claim petition against the CMO, Allahabad claiming Rs 5 lakh for bringing up the child, Rs 25,000 per month till the birth of the child as well as Rs 20,000 for suffering mental and physical agony.
The Permanent Lok Adalat observed, "We are of the view that in a country where population is increasing every second, govt had taken up family planning as an important programme and implemented various devices including sterilization operation. The doctor as also the state must be held responsible in damages of the sterilisation operation."