Jaipur High Court Ambulance Scandal Exposes Critical Emergency Lapses
A grave lapse in emergency preparedness at the Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan High Court came to light on Thursday, sparking widespread outrage across the legal community and raising serious questions about healthcare safety protocols in government institutions.
Woman Advocate Collapses, Ambulance Found Unmanned and Unprepared
The incident unfolded when advocate Priya Prakash, who had sustained a leg injury in a road accident on Monday morning while commuting to the high court on her scooter, reported to the on-campus dispensary around 10:45 am for medical attention. Despite her injury, she managed to reach the court premises. However, during her medical examination, she fainted due to severe pain, and doctors immediately advised shifting her to SMS Hospital for urgent care.
What should have been a routine emergency transfer quickly descended into chaos. The ambulance stationed on the high court premises, meant to be on standby for such critical situations, was found unmanned, low on fuel, and without an accessible driver. Repeated attempts to contact the designated driver failed as his mobile phone was switched off, leaving the unconscious advocate in a perilous situation with precious minutes slipping away.
Fellow Lawyer Takes Charge in Desperate Race Against Time
With no driver in sight and the advocate's condition deteriorating, fellow lawyer Ravindra Singh Shekhawat stepped up in a dramatic intervention. "Time was of essence, so I took the keys from the dispensary and drove the ambulance myself," Shekhawat recounted. He navigated the vehicle through the city to SMS Hospital, where the unusual sight of a lawyer behind the wheel of an ambulance shocked hospital staff.
Shekhawat added that doctors later informed them that any further delay in reaching the hospital could have proved fatal for Prakash. Fortunately, after undergoing an X-ray and receiving intravenous injections and first aid at SMS Hospital, her condition stabilised, averting a potential tragedy.
Legal Fraternity Outraged, Investigations Launched
The incident has triggered intense criticism from the legal fraternity. Rajeev Sogarwal, President of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association, strongly condemned the negligence, stating, "An ambulance parked on court premises during working hours must be fully functional. The absence of the driver at such a crucial moment is alarming." He confirmed that the Bar Association will take up the matter with the concerned authorities to ensure accountability and prevent such lapses in the future.
In response, ambulance driver Arun Chauhan denied allegations of negligence, claiming he had stepped out briefly for about 10 minutes to get his malfunctioning mobile phone repaired. "When I returned, the ambulance was gone," he said. However, this explanation has done little to quell the uproar.
The National Health Mission (NHM) has launched an investigation into the matter, while EMRI Green Health Services (EMRI-GHS), the private firm operating the government's 108 ambulance service, told TOI that strict action will be initiated against the driver. This scandal highlights systemic failures in emergency response mechanisms, underscoring the urgent need for robust protocols and regular audits of standby medical services in public institutions.
