Two Ghaziabad hospitals that turned away child rape victim to give parents Rs 12L
Two hospitals in Ghaziabad have agreed to pay compensation to the parents of a child rape victim after initially refusing to provide emergency medical treatment. The Supreme Court of India is now considering establishing mandatory 'must treat' guidelines for medical institutions.
Why it matters
The case highlights systemic failures in emergency medical response and the need for stricter legal accountability for hospitals.
NEW DELHI: Seeking to escape criminal prosecution and compensation liability for turning away a minor girl grievously injured in a brutal sexual assault and who later died, two Ghaziabad hospitals on Friday undertook before Supreme Court to “donate” Rs 12 lakh to the child’s parents.Troubled by the insensitivity of the hospitals and Ghaziabad cops, a bench of CJI Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said it would consider laying down ‘must treat’ guidelines for hospitals and mandate police to video record complainants’ statements in sexual assault cases.Senior advocate N Hariharan, appearing for the victim’s parents, said Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has provisions in this regard, but no one seems to follow it.Justice Bagchi said, “The law is there. SC rulings are there mandating medical institution to provide treatment. But these are ideals in rarefied atmosphere of court. What happens on ground...
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