JUDGMENT

S.C. Agrawal, J.-Blood is an essential component of the body which provides sustenance to life. There can be no greater service to the numanity than to offer one s blood to save the life of other fellow human-beings. At the same time blood, instead of saving life, can also lead to death of the person to whom the blood is given if the blood is contaminated. As a result of developments in medical science it is possible to preserve and store blood after it has been collected so that it can be available in the case of need. There are blood banks which undertake the task of collecting, testing and storing the whole blood and its components and make the same available when needed. In view of the dangers inherent in supply of contaminated blood it must be ensured that the blood that is available with the blood banks for use is healthy and free from infection.

2. In this petition filed by way of Public Interest Litigation under Article 32 of the Constitution the petitioner has high-lighted the serious deficiencies and short-comings in the matter of collection, storage and supply of blood through the various blood centres operating in the country and has prayed that an appropriate wr