"Drop doctor from your name": Supreme Court slams hospitals in Ghaziabad child's rape and death case

The Supreme Court on Friday strongly criticised two private hospitals in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad for allegedly refusing timely treatment to a four-year-old rape victim, observing that the child was ignored because her family was poor. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also questioned the conduct of the hospital management and directed the institutions to make voluntary donations to the victim's family, warning that failure to comply would invite costs.

During the hearing, the bench made sharp observations against the hospitals and their doctors, stating that they had failed in their professional duty. The Chief Justice remarked that those who do not perform their responsibilities as doctors have "no business" using the title. The court further observed that even if the hospitals lacked adequate facilities, they should have ensured the child was immediately shifted to another medical institution instead of allegedly denying treatment.

The case relates to the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Ghaziabad on March 16. According to the case details, the child was allegedly lured away from her home by a neighbour on the pretext of buying chocolates. After she failed to return, her family began searching for her and later found her unconscious and covered in blood nearby. The family alleged that two private hospitals refused to admit the child before she was taken to a district hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The girl's father has claimed she remained alive for nearly two hours after being found and could have survived with timely medical treatment.

A Special Investigation Team appointed by the Supreme Court found substance in the family's allegations that the hospitals failed to provide prompt medical care. Referring to the findings, the court observed that the alleged refusal to treat the child reflected a lack of sensitivity and accountability. In an earlier hearing, the bench had stated that the matter involved issues extending beyond compensation and required fixing responsibility for the alleged lapses.

The Supreme Court also expressed concern over the conduct of the local police. According to the proceedings, the girl's family approached the police immediately after the incident, but instead of prompt action, they were allegedly assaulted. An FIR was registered on March 17 following public outrage, and the accused was arrested on March 18. The court noted that the initial FIR did not include provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act or Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code relating to rape. Earlier, the bench had summoned the Ghaziabad Police Commissioner and the investigating officer with the case records, describing the alleged response of both the hospitals and the police as marked by indifference and insensitivity.