Telangana High Court Orders State to Formulate Policy Against Medical Care Denial on Technical Grounds
The Telangana High Court has taken a firm stance on Thursday, demanding a comprehensive state policy and explicit operational guidelines to prevent the denial of emergency medical care based on technicalities such as the absence of an Aadhaar card. This directive comes in response to alarming allegations that a man was refused treatment at a government hospital and later shifted to a mortuary while he was still alive, highlighting severe lapses in healthcare provision.
Court's Directive and PIL Background
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin issued this crucial order while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL). The PIL was initiated after advocate Bathini Komuraiah brought to light a distressing incident that occurred at Mahabubabad government hospital in the last week of October 2025. The court has given the state government a strict deadline of three weeks to file a comprehensive counter affidavit detailing its policy decisions and guidelines, particularly focusing on medicare facilities for patients suffering from near-fatal diseases.
Details of the Alleged Incident
In his letter to the Chief Justice, Komuraiah alleged that V Ravi, a man in his mid-40s from Jayyaram village in Chinnagudur mandal, was denied treatment at the hospital despite suffering from serious kidney and other ailments. The denial was reportedly on the grounds that he was not accompanied by an attender and did not have his Aadhaar card with him. According to the letter, Ravi was abandoned by hospital staff and spent two days near the hospital canteen before being found unconscious. Hospital personnel presumed him dead and moved him to the mortuary.
Shockingly, nearly 24 hours later, sanitation workers cleaning the mortuary noticed that Ravi was still alive and immediately alerted the police. He was shifted back to the hospital and provided treatment, but tragically, he succumbed to his conditions in the first week of November. Komuraiah emphasized that this incident exposes serious deficiencies in providing medicare facilities, which he argued is a fundamental aspect of Article 21 of the Constitution, guaranteeing the right to life.
Broader Implications and State Response
Further investigation revealed that Ravi had been living alone after his wife and children deserted him, and he had become an alcoholic. Hospital authorities have denied the allegations, stating that treatment was not refused and he was not dumped in the mortuary. In response, the state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The High Court, taking serious note of these allegations, has sought a detailed response from the state, including policy measures and operational guidelines to ensure that emergency medical care is never denied on technical or procedural grounds.
The matter has been adjourned for further hearing to March 18, underscoring the court's commitment to addressing this critical issue. This case highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms in healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations, to uphold constitutional rights and prevent such tragedies in the future.
