The Supreme Court directed two private medical facilities in Ghaziabad on Friday to pay a total of Rs 12 lakh in compensation to the father of a four-year-old rape victim who died after being refused emergency medical treatment.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana ordered St. Joseph (Mariam) Hospital, a super-specialty facility, to pay Rs 10 lakh, and Khajan Singh Mannvi Health Care to pay Rs 2 lakh. The funds must be delivered within four weeks to the victim’s father, who works as a daily wager.
In addition to the monetary compensation, the top court announced that it will formulate broad guidelines for medical institutions and law enforcement agencies on handling victims of grave criminal offenses.
Investigation Findings And Medical Negligence
The court’s ruling follows a report submitted by an apex court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT). The findings revealed that the child was bleeding but remained alive for nearly five hours following the assault. The SIT concluded that the refusal of the two private hospitals to provide medical care led directly to her death.
Chronology Of The Incident
The events took place on March 16, when the minor was allegedly lured away by a neighbor. When she failed to return, her father initiated a search and found her lying unconscious and covered in blood.
Her family initially rushed her to St. Joseph (Mariam) Hospital and Khajan Singh Mannvi Health Care, both of which declined to treat her. She was subsequently moved to a government hospital in Ghaziabad, where medical staff declared her dead on arrival.
Police Conduct And Legal Action
The matter reached the Supreme Court after the victim’s father filed a petition requesting a court-monitored investigation by either an SIT or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
During proceedings on April 10, the bench criticized the Ghaziabad Police for an insensitive approach to the case, highlighting the department’s reluctance to register a First Information Report (FIR) and conduct a proper investigation. The court previously issued formal notices regarding the matter to the Uttar Pradesh state government, the station house officer of the local police station, the executive magistrate, and both private hospitals.
