The Supreme Court has initiated formal contempt proceedings against Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital after finding that the healthcare facility submitted a false statement denying receipt of a judicial notice regarding emergency treatment guidelines for poor patients.
A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar directed the hospital, through its Medical Superintendent, to file an explanation within two weeks. The proceedings stem from the preparation of a standard operating procedure designed to govern emergency medical care for patients from the Economically Weaker Section.
Contradiction In Official Service Records
The apex court took strong exception to the hospital’s affidavit, which claimed that it had never been served with a notice to participate in the deliberations. The bench pointed out that an official registry report dated April 2, 2026, confirmed the notice had indeed been delivered, rendering the hospital’s sworn assertion visibly false on the face of the record.
Low Participation In Protocol Consultations
During the hearing, senior advocate and amicus curiae Sanjay Jain informed the judges that only 12 out of 52 designated hospitals took part in the consultative session convened to formulate the guidelines. He added that an amended draft of the emergency care protocol has been formally submitted in accordance with the court’s earlier directions.
After taking note of the limited institutional turnout, the bench entertained requests from senior counsel representing various other healthcare facilities who asked to submit their feedback and recommendations on the revised draft. The matter has been scheduled for its next hearing on September 30.
The proceedings arise from the enforcement of a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, which mandated that private hospitals allotted land at subsidised rates are legally obligated to provide free treatment to economically weaker patients, covering 10 per cent of their indoor admissions and 25 per cent of their outdoor clinical services.
