SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img

2013 Supreme(All) 2524

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
BEFORE : RAJES KUMAR AND M.C. TRIPATHI, JJ.
Dr. (Smt.) ABHA GUPTA ....Petitioners
Versus
STATE OF U.P. AND OTHERS .....Respondents
(Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 64216 of 2011, decided on 29th October, 2013)

Advocates:
Counsel :
Manish Goyal for the Petitioner; Yogesh Kumar Yadav and Mahendra Pratap Yadav for the Respondents.

Headnote:U.P. Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1956—Rule 3—Misconduct—Major punishment —Medical Officer (Woman) Opinion in Medical examination of a rare case—Awarded major punishment by way of downgrading her from medical officer Level-2 to Medical Officer Level I—She on a preliminary physical examination of the victim observed that the hymen was intect while as the medical Board reported that the hymen was torn, but healed—Inference that petitioner had given an incorrect report, appears to be wholly unjustified as the report was only preliminary and tentive report which was subject to radiologists and pathologist’s report—Act of negligence, error, judgment or innocent mistake not constitute misconduct—No case of misconduct made out against petitioner—In view of the matter for such a minor difference of opinion while discharging the medical duty, no inference of misconduct could be drawn—Hence, punishment order not sustainable and liable to be quashed. [Paras 45 to 54]

JUDGMENT

Hon’ble Rajes Kumar, J.—Heard Sri Manish Goyal, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri Yogesh Kumar Yadav, learned Standing Counsel appears on behalf of respondent Nos. 1 to 5 and Sri Mahendra Pratap Yadav, Advocate, appears on behalf of respondent Nos. 8, 9 and 10.

2. By means of the present petition, the petitioner is challenging the order dated 2.9.2011 passed by respondent No. 1 whereby the petitioner has been awarded a major punishment by way of downgrading her from Medical Officer Level -2 to Medical Officer Level-1.

3. In the year 2008, the petitioner was posted as a senior-most Women Medical Officer at District Joint Hospital, Maharajganj. On 5.6.2008, one Saroj, daughter of Sri Ramanand Shahni, filed an FIR against one Sri Dharmendra, alleging that she had been raped by him on 26.5.2008. In pursuance thereof, a case Crime No. 940 of 2008, under Section 376 I.P.C. was registered. Pursuant to the FIR, Saroj was brought to the District Joint Hospital, Maharajganj at about 11-30 a.m. for her medical examination. She had been examined by the petitioner. Upon physical examination of Saroj, the petitioner prepared a report. The report is Annexure-2 to the writ petition. In the report, it has been categorically stated that “final opinion can be given after Radiological and Pathological report.” Saroj belongs to the Nishad community. On 7.6.2008, one Sri Jamuna Nishad, a sitting M.L.A., also appears to be a Minister, alongwith some anti social elements, came at the Police Station, Mahrajganj and put the entire Police station on fire, which was followed by cross-firing in which one Constable Krishna Nand Rai died. A First Information Report was lodged against Sri Jamuna Nishad by the Police Officer Incharge of Police Station, Maharajganj. On 8.6.2008, at about 11-45 p.m., a Medical Board, consisting of 6 doctors, was constituted, which included Radiologist and Pathologist. The Board examined Saroj and given the report at 2-00 a.m. i.e. in the night of 8/9.6.2008. The report is Annexure-3 to the writ petition. The report reveals that no final opinion has been given about the rape having being committed. However, the Superintendent of Police, Maharajganj wrote a letter dated 9.6.2008 to the District Magistrate, Maharajganj recommending disciplinary action against the petitioner. The said letter is Annexure-4 to the writ petition. In pursuance thereof, the District Magistrate wrote a letter dated 9.6.2008 to the State Government for taking disciplinary action against the petitioner. On 11.6.2008, the petitioner has been suspended. The First Information Report was lodged, which was registered as Case Crime No. 1048 of 2008, under Sections 119, 192 and 201 IPC read with Section 7/13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. In pursuance of above, a departmental disciplinary enquiry has been initiated. On 18.6.2008, a charge-sheet has been submitted, which is Annexure-7 to the writ petition, on the allegation that the report of the petitioner and the report of the Medical Board were different and the petitioner by giving incorrect report had not discharged her medical duty and responsibility. The petitioner filed reply on 2.7.2008, which is Annexure-8 to the writ petition, and demanded six specific documents and also raised objection about the continuance of the disciplinary proceedings simultaneously with the criminal proceedings. However, despite the objection, disciplinary proceedings proceeded. The petitioner was provided only two out of six documents demanded. Thereafter, the petitioner filed a detailed objection on 29.9.2008 before the Inquiry Officer. The copy of the reply is Annexure-11 to the writ petition, and further filed a letter dated 29.9.2008 with the request to examine eleven witnesses. On 6.10.2008, four Doctors, who were members of the Medical Board, presented themselves before the Inquiry Officer and their statements had been recorded.

4. It was the case of the petitioner that when the statements of the doctor









































































































































Click Here to Read the rest of this document

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
SupremeToday Portrait Ad
supreme today icon
logo-black

An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance

qr

Scan Me!

India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

whatsapp-icon Back to top