Delhi High Court on Monday directed the government to constitute a committee of experts to visit various Government hospital in Delhi and conduct inspection of the infrastructure facilities available. The committee will look into manpower requirement and other aspect concerned with the functioning of government hospitals and make a comprehensive suggestion to the court which would be considered and thereafter appropriate judicial orders will be passed with regards to the functioning of these hospitals.

A bench  headed by Chief Justice Rajender Menon & Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the order on a PIL. filed by a Ms. Madhu Bala, who lost her 9-month fetus due to negligent behavior of the hospital staff and crumbling infrastructure of a government hospital in Delhi. The Petitioner went on to carry a sting operation along with a TV news channel ‘ wherein the dilapidated condition of health facilities and lack of manpower in the hospital could be seen and the same was provided to court for inspection.

 Appearing for the petitioner, . Prashant Manchanda,  said that situation requires an immediate attention and action by the court to intervene in this matter as the stake of life of many people are at risk. The Delhi High Court initially demanded a status report from the Delhi Government which was duly submitted in the court and, accordingly, the court gave the direction to constitute a committee. On the suggestion of Counsel appearing on behalf of Delhi Government to form committee headed by the secretary, the court declined the requested and instead asked the counsel of Petitioner to suggest few names of experts consisting of social workers, technicians, technocrats and bureaucrats who can be nominated in the committee.

Through the order, the  court has reiterated that the accountability of the executive is paramount and should not be left unchecked. The matter is again listed for the submission of list of members to be included in the committee to be given by both the Petitioner and Respondents on the next date. The next date of hearing is on 2nd May, 2019