Emergency treatment to EWS patients: Supreme Court slams Yatharth hospital for not responding to contempt notice
The Supreme Court of India has initiated contempt proceedings against Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital for failing to respond to notices regarding emergency care for economically weaker section (EWS) patients. The court is enforcing a 2018 mandate requiring hospitals on concessional land to provide free treatment.
Why it matters
It highlights the legal struggle to ensure private healthcare providers fulfill their social obligations to provide affordable care to low-income populations.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) rapped Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital for not responding to a contempt notice issued by it over preparation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) for providing emergency medical care to economically weaker section (EWS) patients.
A Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar sought reply from the hospital in two weeks.
The Supreme Court noted that the hospital in its affidavit stated that it had not been served with any notice to participate.
"This statement is contrary to the office report dated April 2, 2026, which clearly records that notice had been served. The statement made in the reply is, therefore, ex facie false. Accordingly, we drew up formal contempt proceedings against the said respondent through its Medical Superintendent," the Bench said.
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