Punjab & Haryana HC Expresses Shock Over Electricity Failure In Hospital, Seeks Chief Secy's Affidavit On Lack Of Automatic Switch Over To Back-Up

Expressing shock over power failure in a hospital, the Punjab & Haryana High Court directed the Punjab's Chief Secretary to file an affidavit on why hospitals are not equipped with automatic switch-over like other public establishment

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel said, "It is not surprising but shocking to note that in a public establishment like a hospital where electric breakup of even a few seconds can be fatal for certain patients, especially those on life support, the electric supply was disrupted for 13 minutes though the backup was available but the same took 2 minutes to be functional, because the same had to be operated manually."

The bench said that, "The affidavit of the Chief Secretary of the State of Punjab is directed to be filed in this respect, which should also contain details of other public establishments which are equipped with automatic switch-over and why not the hospitals."

The development came while hearing a PIL filed by Sunaina an advocate by profession, wherein the  Court took note of a report stating that, "the power breakdown at 11:44 AM on 24.01.2025 at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, which is one of the premier hospitals in the District of Patiala which caters to large number of patients not only of Patiala, but also of adjoining districts. The power was eventually restored at 11:57 AM after 13 minutes and the backup started functioning at 11:46 AM manually."

Perusing the report, the Court noted, "There is no automatic switch-over system and switch-over from regular electric supply to the DG-Set had to be made manually which took time."

In these modern times, it is of utmost importance that hospitals ought to have automatic switch-over from the normal electric supply line to DG-Set instantaneously, the Court added further.

Expressing dissatisfaction on State counsel's submissions the Court observed, "counsel for the State of Punjab is unable to satisfy us as to why this deficiency of automatic switch-over from the regular supply lines to the DG-Set was not available at the relevant point of time. Petitioner appearing in person has also submitted that recently again on 04.02.2025 another incident of power disruption took place."

The matter is listed for February 25, for further consideration.

Title: SUNAINA V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

Appearance: Petitioner in person.

Mr. Saurav Khurana, Addl. AG, Punjab. Mr. Anurag Chopra, Addl. AG, Punjab.

Mr. F.S. Dhilla, Advocate for Mr. Gagneshwar Walia, Advocate for respondent No.3.

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