The Allahabad High Court has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating condition of Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, an attached hospital of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College in Prayagraj, attributing the decline not to lack of funds or amenities but to the private practice of its doctors. The court has directed that the matter be placed before the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, who shall take appropriate action against the defaulting individuals and initiate a high-level inquiry into the private practice by doctors at the medical college.
Court Observations on Private Practice
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal observed that the condition of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College and Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital has deteriorated not due to a shortage of government funds or amenities, but because the medical fraternity is failing the government's objectives. The court noted that professors, associate professors, and lecturers are practicing in private nursing homes, effectively running a parallel medical industry in Prayagraj. These doctors are performing surgeries and keeping patients in private setups after transferring them from the government hospital.
Next Hearing and Action Plan
Fixing May 26 as the next date of hearing, the court directed the Chief Secretary to inform the court about the action taken, including setting up a high-level inquiry into the matter. The Chief Secretary must also monitor the progress of various construction activities at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, which have been ongoing for the last 20 years but remain incomplete despite funds being released by the state government.
The court further directed the state counsel to apprise the court of the progress regarding the cabinet meeting concerning the transfer of land in favor of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College. The Registrar (Compliance) of the Allahabad High Court has been instructed to forward a copy of the order to the Chief Secretary within 48 hours.
Affidavits and Land Transfer
During the hearing on May 4, Dr. Vinod Kumar Pandey, Principal of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, appeared before the court and filed an affidavit pursuant to an earlier order. An affidavit on behalf of the Special Secretary of Medical Education was also submitted and taken on record. The state counsel informed the court that no objection has been obtained from all concerned departments for the transfer of 31,314 square meters of land in favor of the medical college, and the matter will soon be placed before the council of ministers for approval. Upon cabinet approval, the land will be transferred to the college.
Criticism of Construction Delays
The court also criticized the UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam for failing to construct two floors of the cardiology department at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, a project started in 2006. The court stated that it is unable to understand why the construction of two floors has not been undertaken in 20 years, calling the functioning of the Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Limited pathetic.
Serious Concerns Over Private Practice
The amicus curiae brought to the court's attention an FIR lodged on April 29, 2026, against Dr. Santosh Kumar Singh, an associate professor in the surgery department, and his wife, Elakshi Shukla. The FIR was lodged by Dr. Manish Kumar Kesari. It was revealed that Dr. Singh's wife is the director of Acura Hospital, a private nursing home where Dr. Singh performs surgeries. The court expressed serious concern, noting that the PIL initially involved allegations against Dr. Arvind Gupta for treating a patient at a private nursing home despite being a professor. The court remarked that this second case indicates a troubling pattern.
The court also expressed concern that the District Magistrate of Prayagraj has not submitted a report regarding private practice by government doctors despite a court order. The court stated that the District Magistrate appears to have lost interest in the matter, and the situation is becoming murkier. The court added that the present case reveals the poor condition of Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, as doctors are not interested in keeping patients there and prefer treating them in their private setups.
