Back
2025 Supreme(Online)(Jhk) 2349
HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND
Tarlok Singh Chauhan, CJ, Sujit Narayan Prasad, J
Jyoti Sharma – Appellant
Versus
The State of Jharkhand – Respondent
W.P. (PIL) No. 4736 of 2018 | W.P. (PIL) No. 519 of 2020 | W.P. (PIL) No. 1301 of 2020
For the Petitioner:Mr. Deepak Kumar Dubey, Advocate
Ms. Rashi Sharma, Advocate
For the State:Mr. Rajiv Ranjan, Advocate General, Mr. Ashok Kumar Yadav, Sr. S.C.-I, Mr. Aditya Kumar, A.C. to Sr. S.C.-I, Mr. Piyush Chitresh, A.C. to A.G., Mr. Gaurav Raj, A.C. to A.A.G.-II
For the RIMS:Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Advocate, Ms. Sharon Toppo, Advocate
For the JSBCCL:Ms. Khalida Haya Rashmi, Advocate
Judicial intervention is necessary to enforce reforms in public healthcare institutions to ensure ethical standards and quality patient care.
Headnote:(A) Public Interest Litigation - State Government’s Accountability - The court reviewed the infrastructure and operational dysfunctions at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, highlighting the urgent requirement of reforms to address inadequate sanitation, poor resources, and lack of access to potable water. The report of an inspecting Committee emphasized the need for immediate action. (Paras 1-6)
(B) Intervention Necessity - The court underscored that immediate intervention is essential for the optimal functioning of RIMS, directing documentation of proposed improvements and audit reviews to be conducted and presented in the forthcoming meetings. (Paras 7-12)
(C) Professional Conduct of Medical Staff - The need to prevent doctors from engaging in private practice was reinforced, safeguarding ethical compliance and hospital integrity. The court mandated adherence to previous directives. (Paras 14-15)
Findings of Court:
All submissions regarding the status of RIMS and proposals for enhancement were accepted, with a particular emphasis on improving patient care.
Issues: The court addressed substantial healthcare delivery deficiencies and the necessity for structural reforms in RIMS.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's reasoning emphasized that systemic overhaul is imperative for maintaining healthcare standards in public institutions.
Result: The court mandated reforms and set a follow-up hearing for audit reviews.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. current state of healthcare facilities. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6) |
| 2. need for intervention and proposals for reform. (Para 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12) |
| 3. regulations on private practice by medical staff. (Para 14 , 15) |
| 4. follow-up on implementation of reforms. (Para 16 , 17 , 18) |
36/Dated: 22.08.2025 Tarlok Singh Chauhan, C.J.(Oral)
1. “Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink” – this line, originally from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, seems to aptly describe the current state of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, a supposed premier hospital in the region.
2. Despite being one of the leading medical institutions in Jharkhand, RIMS is facing an unfortunate decline in both infrastructure and basic amenities. The hospital, intended to provide top-tier healthcare to the masses, is grappling with issues that question its ability to function effectively. Among the most concerning problems is the severe lack of clean and safe drinking water, a fundamental necessity for any medical facility. Despite the abundance of water around, such as in tanks or pipes, there is often no access to potable water for patients and staff alike. This not only puts the health of individuals at risk but also reflects poorly on the hospital's capacity to maintain hygienic standards.
3. The situation is further compounded by inadequate sanitation and dilapidated infrastructure. Hospital wards, once expected to be pristine environments for healing, are often plagued by leaking roofs, malfunctioning air conditioning, broken equipment, and poor ventilation. The overcrowding in certain wards adds to the discomfort, making it difficult for patients to receive proper care.
4. Medical staff, although dedicated, are often left to contend with a lack of necessary resources, such as medicines, equipment, and diagnostic tools, hindering their ability to perform at their best. This compromises the quality of patient care and impacts the efficiency of medical procedures.
5. The leadership at RIMS has come under scrutiny for its failure to address these issues, despite the growing demands for high-quality healthcare in Jharkhand. While the State Government has occasionally promised reforms and upgrades, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The hospital, which should serve as a model for healthcare institutions, continues to fall short in meeting the expectations of both the people and the medical community.
6. In conclusion, the poor condition of RIMS stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for both infrastructural and administrative reforms. Until such changes are made, the hospital's reputation as a "premier institution" will remain more of a distant ideal than a current reality.
7. We have heard the matter for a fairly long time and are of the considered view that immediate intervention is required in the proper functioning of the RIMS.
8. Certain proposals for improvement of RIMS have been set out in the supplementary affidavit filed by the Additional Law Officer, RIMS.
9. We find those proposals to be meaningful.
10. In addition thereto, certain proposals have been given by the Committee that has inspected RIMS on the directions of this Court.
11. In addition thereto, certain vacancy positions have also been set out in a tabular form which are required to be filled up immediately.
12. Let all these documents, referred to above, along with the important orders passed by this Court from time to time in W.P. (PIL) No.1301 of 2020, W.P. (PIL) No.4736 of 2018 and W.P. (C) No.2399 of 2019, be circulated amongst the Members constituting the Governing Body by the Secretary (Health), so that they could be deliberated upon in the next meeting of the Governing Body. For this purpose, let three copies be prepared by the Registry out of which one copy be handed over to the office of Advocate General, who, in turn, shall hand over the same to the Secretary (Health) and two copies be retained for
