NEW DELHI, July 17, 2026 : In a strongly worded observation underscoring the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals, the Supreme Court of India on Friday sharply criticised two private hospitals and their doctors for allegedly refusing timely medical treatment to a four-year-old girl who was later declared dead after being raped and murdered in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana expressed serious concern over the alleged denial of emergency medical care and directed the two hospitals to provide reasonable compensation to the victim’s family.
Delivering a stern message to the doctors, the Bench observed:
“You have no business writing ‘doctor’ if you do not perform your duty. If you had sensitivity, you would have gone with the child to the other hospital if you did not have the facility. You ignored her because she was poor? Couldn’t afford your fee?”
The matter has been listed for further hearing next week.
Incident That Shocked The Nation
According to the case records, the tragic incident occurred on March 16, 2026, when the four-year-old girl was allegedly lured away by a neighbour on the pretext of buying chocolates.
After she failed to return home, her father launched a desperate search and eventually found her unconscious and soaked in blood.
The family rushed the critically injured child to two private hospitals—Khajan Singh Mannvi Health Care and St. Joseph (Mariam) Hospital—where they allegedly refused to admit or treat her.
She was subsequently taken to a government hospital in Ghaziabad, where doctors declared her dead.
Court Monitoring Investigation
The Supreme Court has been closely monitoring the case since April after taking serious note of the alleged lapses in both the medical response and the police investigation.
Earlier hearings saw the apex court questioning the Ghaziabad Police over what it described as an “insensitive approach” and apparent reluctance in promptly registering an FIR and conducting a thorough investigation.
The Bench had issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Government, the concerned Station House Officer (SHO), the two private hospitals, and the Executive Magistrate.
It also directed the hospitals to submit affidavits explaining the allegations that they had denied emergency treatment to the victim.
Victim’s Family Seeks Independent Probe
The proceedings stem from a petition filed by the victim’s father, a daily wage labourer, seeking a court-monitored investigation by either a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The petitioner alleged serious lapses in the handling of the case and sought an independent probe to ensure justice for his daughter.
Directions To Protect Family’s Identity
The Supreme Court further directed the police authorities and hospitals to ensure that the identity of the minor victim and her family members remains strictly confidential.
The Bench instructed all concerned authorities to redact any identifying information from official records and also directed the Uttar Pradesh Police not to harass or intimidate the victim’s family during the course of the investigation.
Strong Reminder On Medical Ethics
The observations made by the Supreme Court serve as a powerful reminder that providing emergency medical treatment is not merely a professional obligation but a humanitarian duty.
The Court’s remarks emphasized that the responsibility of doctors extends beyond the availability of facilities and includes ensuring that critically injured patients receive immediate care or are promptly referred to an appropriate medical institution.
The case continues to draw nationwide attention as the Supreme Court closely monitors both the criminal investigation and the accountability of the institutions involved.
