`Patient shifted to morgue alive at Mahabubabad Civil Hospital’: Telangana HC takes suo motu notice
Appearing in person, the advocate urged the court to intervene, stating that denial of emergency medical care on procedural grounds amounted to a serious constitutional violation
By Newsmeter Network
Telangana High Court (file photo)
Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has taken a suo motu cognizance after a patient was allegedly denied medical treatment for failing to produce an Aadhaar card and then shifted to the mortuary despite showing signs of life at the Civil Hospital in Mahabubabad.
A division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Ghouse Meera Mohiuddin on Thursday issued notices to the Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary of Medical and Family Welfare, the Director of Medical Education, the Mahabubabad District Collector, and the Superintendent of the Civil Hospital, seeking an explanation over the lapse.
PIL based on the Advocate’s letter
The court took cognizance of the matter following a letter addressed to the Chief Justice by Advocate Bathini Komuraiah. In his representation, the advocate alleged gross medical negligence and a violation of fundamental rights, pointing to what he described as the “lethargic and inhuman” conduct of hospital staff.
Appearing in person, the advocate urged the court to intervene, stating that denial of emergency medical care on procedural grounds amounted to a serious constitutional violation.
Patient allegedly left unattended for three days
According to the complaint, V. Ravi, a resident of Jayyaram village suffering from chronic kidney ailments, was left unattended in a hospital corridor for nearly three days.
Hospital authorities reportedly refused to admit him because he had no attendant and was unable to produce identification documents, including an Aadhaar card.
The situation turned grave when Ravi collapsed in the hospital canteen corridor. Staff allegedly presumed him dead and shifted him to the mortuary without proper medical verification.
Sweeping staff alerted police
In a dramatic turn of events, a member of the hospital’s sweeping staff noticed signs of life and alerted the police. Ravi was subsequently rescued from the mortuary and provided with medical treatment.
The incident has raised serious concerns about hospital protocols, emergency response systems, and accountability in public healthcare institutions.
Court seeks explanation from State
During the hearing, the Bench converted the advocate’s letter into a formal writ petition, observing that denial of basic medical assistance on administrative or documentary grounds constitutes a direct violation of the constitutional right to life and health.
The court has directed the state authorities to file a detailed counter affidavit within three weeks, explaining the circumstances that led to the incident and outlining measures to prevent recurrence. The matter will be taken up for further hearing thereafter.
The High Court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s firm stance that access to emergency medical care cannot be denied on technical grounds, particularly in government-run institutions entrusted with safeguarding public health.
