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2026 Supreme(Jhk) 180

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
M. S. SONAK, CJ, DEEPAK ROSHAN, J.
Ranjiv Ranjan S/o Late Barho Prasad – Appellant
Versus
Union of India through Additional Principal Secretary, New Delhi – Respondent
W.P. (PIL) No. 4271 of 2019
Decided On : 16-03-2026

Advocates Appeared:
For the Appellant : Party-In-Person
For the Respondents: Ashok Kumar, Ashok Kumar Singh, Ramit Satender, Neelam Kumari

The court mandated strict compliance with the Clinical Establishments Act, emphasizing that non-enforcement leads to public health concerns, while personal grievances must be pursued through proper legal channels.

Headnote:(A) Clinical Establishments Act, 2010 - Enforcement and compliance issues - Public Interest Litigation concerning the non-implementation of the Clinical Establishments Act - The court acknowledged the necessity of adherence to the standards set by the Act for healthcare delivery and mandated the State Council to ensure a comprehensive register of clinical establishments is consistently updated and maintained. The authorities were instructed to adhere to protocols before granting registrations and to provide copies of medical records to patients upon request. (Paras 16, 41)

(B) Public Interest - The petitioner's claims related to personal grievances and were deemed inappropriate for consideration under Public Interest Litigation. The court stated that individual complaints should be pursued in appropriate forums for resolution. (Paras 11, 15)

(C) Medical Negligence - The court declined to adjudicate on the allegations of medical negligence due to the involvement of disputed questions of fact, while clarifying that the petitioner retains the right to pursue claims in appropriate legal settings. (Paras 11, 15)

(D) Reporting and Accountability - The State was reminded of its obligations under laws ensuring public health and adequate healthcare standards, emphasizing that under-enforcement or negligence in fulfilling statutory duties undermines social order. (Paras 33, 41)

Findings of Court:
The court ruled that a statutory framework for regulating healthcare is in effect; however, enforcement is lacking. Action is required to ensure compliance with the Clinical Establishments Act and its governing rules.

Issues: The main issues included whether the complaints are indeed within the realm of Public Interest Litigation and the enforceability of health regulations concerning clinical establishments.

Ratio Decidendi: The court highlighted the need for proper implementation and accountability in healthcare regulation, asserting that failures in enforcement could lead to significant public health concerns.

Result: Writ petition disposed of with directives for compliance and accountability.

Table of Content
1. public interest litigation and its scope. (Para 1 , 2 , 7)
2. factual background regarding medical treatment. (Para 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8)
3. judicial observations on alleged medical negligence. (Para 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15)
4. context and implementation of the clinical establishments act. (Para 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20)
5. provisions of the clinical establishments act and related regulations. (Para 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35)
6. medical records and transparency obligations of clinical establishments. (Para 36 , 37 , 38 , 39)
7. need for effective enforcement of health regulations. (Para 40)
8. court's directive for compliance with the clinical establishments act. (Para 41)
9. conclusion and order of the court. (Para 42)

JUDGMENT :

DEEPAK ROSHAN, J.

1. Heard the learned counsel for the respective parties.

2. The present writ petition has been filed in purported public interest, seeking the following reliefs:-

(i) For issuance of Writ(s)/order(s)/direction(s) and particularly a writ in the nature of mandamus commanding and direction upon the respondents and especially respondent Civil Surgeon Ranchi, to ensure strict compliance of the Clinical Establishments Act, 2010 and take immediate and strict action as per law for non-fulfillment of provisions of the said act.

(ii) For issuance of Writ(s)/order(s)/direction(s) and particularly a writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding upon the respondents and especially respondent Civil Surgeon Ranchi to take-action upon the report submitted by Magistrate Sadar Ranchi with respect to the death of the petitioner's father on 15/10/2017, on act of sheer negligence on the part of entire management, doctors and nurses of Medanta Hospital Ranchi.

(iii) For issuance of Writ(s)/order(s)/direction(s) and particularly a writ in the nature of mandamus commanding upon the respondents to immediately and forthwith holding enquiry in respect to ignore the complaints of bonafide citizen with respect to legalities been committed by respondent authority.

(iv) For issuance of Writ(s)/order(s)/direction(s) and particularly a writ in the nature of mandamus commanding upon the respondents to hold an enquiry in respect to illegal and fraudulent committing cyber-crime and misusing the petitioner's email ID to close the RTI filed in PMO Office.

(v) For issuance of Writ(s)/order(s)/direction(s) and particularly a writ in the nature of mandamus commanding and direction upon the respondents to ensure that all the Clinical Establishments in the State of Jharkhand are directed to provide immediately copies of all documents to the patient's attendants/representative on discharge to avoid any foul play.

3. This petition has been filed in the backdrop of the fact that the petitioner’s father was suffering from Parkinson’s disease (Stage III– IV) and was undergoing treatment for the same in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. On 05.10.2017, the petitioner’s father suffered injuries following a fall at his residence in Ranchi. He was initially taken to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, at approximately 8:00 a.m., where he received primary treatment by way of a Diazepam injection. However, it is the petitioner’s case that until 9:45 a.m., the medical staff at RIMS, Ranchi, failed to provide adequate care, specifically neglecting to dress his wounds or provide necessary medical services. Aggrieved by the perceived negligence and dissatisfied with the services at RIMS, the petitioner shifted his father to Medanta Hospital, Ranchi, at approximately 10:10 a.m. on the same day.

4. Furthermore, the petitioner has pleaded that on 06.10.2017, being dissatisfied with the treatment offered at Medanta, Ranchi, he requested the hospital to discharge his father to facilitate a transfer to another medical facility for treatment. Accordingly, the petitioner’s father was discharged from Medanta Hospital, Ranchi, at approximately 05:00 p.m. on the same day, following the interventi

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