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2007 Supreme(Bom) 417

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
F.I. REBELLO & R.M. SAWANT, JJ.
Mr. Surupsingh Hrya Naik- Petitioner
Versus
State of Maharashtra & Ors.- Respondent
Writ Petition No.1750 of 2007
Decided on 23rd March, 2007.
Advocates appeared
Mr. Y.S. JAHAGIRDAR, Senior Advocate with Mr. S. S. KANETKAR, for petitioner.
Mr. A.A. KUMBAKONI, Associate Advocate General with Mr. V.P. MALVANKAR, AGP, for the Respondent Nos. 1 to 4.
Respondent No.5 in person.

Headnote:Medical Council Act, 1956 - Sections 6 and 8(1)(j) - Indian Medical Council Regulation, 2002 - Right to Information Act, 2005, Section 8(1)(j) - Constitution of India, Article 21 - Right to life - Right to privacy - Forms a part of right to life - Information about medical records - Right to Information Act overrides Regulations framed under Indian Medical Council Act. - The right to receive medical treatment as a part of right to life, could not have been denied to the petitioner. The reasons for the information sought by the respondent No. 5 need not be gone into, as the Act itself under Section 6(2) does not require the applicant to give any reasons for requesting the information. The contention on behalf of the petitioners, therefore, that information given may be misused really in Court’s opinion would not arise considering the object behind Section 6(2) of the Act. The provisions of the Right to Information Act will override the provisions of the Regulations framed under the Indian Medical Council Act to the extent they are inconsistent. The exercise of power under the Act in respect of private information is subject only to Section 8(1)(j) of the proviso.

F.I. REBELLO, J.:- Rule. Heard forthwith.

2. The petitioner is presently a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Maharashtra. Contempt Proceedings had been initiated against the petitioner by the Honourable Supreme Court, which imposed on him imprisonment of one month, by judgment dated 10th May, 2006. The petitioner on 12th May, 2006 surrendered to the Police Authorities in Mumbai and was taken in custody. On 14th May, 2006 Petitioner was shifted to Sir J.J. Hospital, Mumbai on account of suspected heart problems as well as low sugar and blood pressure. According to the petitioner he underwent medical treatment at Sir J.J. Hospital, Mumbai for the period of 21 days and was discharged on 5th June, 2006. Petitioner served the remaining tenure of imprisonment till 11th June, 2006 in jail on which day he was released from custody on completing the period of sentence. The petitioner contends that he is suffering from various diseases such as diabetes, heart problem and also blood pressure from 1998-99 onwards and has been admitted to hospital on various occasions on account of his health problems.

3. The Respondent No.5 is a private citizen who by an application dated May, 27, 2006 sought from the Respondent No.4, the Public Information Officer of Sir J.J. Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, the medical reports of the petitioner. In his application it was set out that it was in public interest to know why a convict is allowed to stay in an air conditioned comfort of the hospital and there had been intensive questioning about this aspect in the media and the peoples mind. There is, therefore, a legitimate doubt about the true reasons for a convict being accommodated in air conditioned comfort of the hospital, thereby ensuring that the convict escapes the punishment imposed on him and also denies a scarce facility to the needy. The information, sought was set Out therein. On 20th June, 2006 the Public Information Officer addressed a letter to the General Administration Department, State of Maharashtra, seeking information of the legal aspects regarding the application made by respondent No.5 under the provisions of the Right to Information Act. On 4th July, 2006 in response to the letter the respondent No.4 clarified that the Right to Information Act is a Central Act and any clarification, assistance or doubt as to interpretation of the provisions of the Act will have to be sought from the Central Government. On 3rd July, 2006 the Respondent No.4 addressed a letter to the petitioner, intimating him that information about the petitioner's hospitalisation between 15th May, 2006 to 5th June, 2006 had been sought by the Respondent No.5. The petitioner was called upon to give his say as to whether the information should be given. There is nothing on record to indicate whether the petitioner replied to the said letter.

4. As the respondent No.4 did not furnish the necessary information, the respondent No.5, preferred an Appeal on 21st June, 2006 before the Respondent No.3. On 3rd July, 2006 the Respondent No.3 rejected the application on the ground that the same was not signed by the respondent No.5. Respondent No.5 preferred another Appeal to respondent No.3 under Section 19(1) of the Act, which was rejected on 25th July, 2006. Aggrieved by the said order the respondent No.5 preferred a Second Appeal before the Respondent No.2. The Respondent No.2 allowed the Appeal and for reasons disclosed in the order directed the respondent No.4 to give information to the respondent No.5. The petitioner on 5th March, 2007 submitted a letter to the Dean, Sir J.J. Hospital with a request that information relating to the petitioner should not be disclosed to anyone. On 8th March, 2007 the petitioner filed an application requesting for a copy of the application made by the respondent No.5 and the order passed by the respondent No.2 from Respondent No.4. It is the petitioner's case that on 8th March, 2007 he made a representation to the Respondent No.2



































































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