SC Pulls Up Doctors, Hospitals For Denying Treatment To Minor Rape-Murder Victim

New Delhi, Jul 17: The Supreme Court on Friday strongly criticised two private hospitals and their doctors for allegedly refusing timely medical treatment to a four-year-old rape and murder victim in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, observing that doctors who fail to perform their duty have “no business” calling themselves doctors. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed the hospitals to provide reasonable compensation to the victim’s family and posted the matter for further hearing next week. Addressing the doctors, the Bench remarked, “You have no business of writing ‘doctor’ if you do not perform your duty. If you had sensitivity, you would have gone with the child to the other hospital if you did not have the facility. You ignored because she was poor? Couldn’t afford your fee?” According to the case, the four-year-old girl was allegedly lured away by a neighbour on March 16 and was later found unconscious with severe injuries. Her family first took her to two private hospitals, which allegedly refused to admit her. She was subsequently taken to a government hospital in Ghaziabad, where doctors declared her dead. The Supreme Court had earlier criticised the Ghaziabad Police for its handling of the case and directed the two private hospitals—Khajan Singh Mannvi Health Care and St. Joseph (Mariam) Hospital—to file affidavits responding to the allegations. The court is hearing a petition filed by the victim’s father, who has sought a court-monitored investigation by either a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Earlier hearings also saw the apex court direct authorities to protect the identity of the victim and her family, ensure their privacy, and refrain from harassing them during the investigation.