PIL In Telangana High Court Alleges State-Run Hospital Refused To Admit Homeless Lady Without Aadhaar Card, State Claims Otherwise

While hearing a PIL challenging the actions of Osmania General Hospital for allegedly refusing to treat a patient who failed to produce her Aadhaar card, the Telangana High Court on Monday (February 24) orally questioned the state as to how this was permissible. 

During the hearing the counsel on behalf of the petitioner submitted before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara that the patient was a homeless lady who used to beg as a means to provide for her 6 year old daughter. That due to illness, when she approached the respondent Hospital, she was refused treatment on account of not having an Aadhaar card.

The court thereafter orally asked, "How is this permissible?". At this stage, Special Government pleader, S Rahul Reddy appearing on behalf of the State reassured the Court that the patient was being treated, and had been treated even prior to the news article being published. He argued that misinformation was being spread and requested sometime to place the required documents before the Bench.

The petitioner, Srinivas Byreddy who is an advocate by occupation, has sought a declaration that the action of the Hospital in not  admitting and treating patients who do not possess or produce Aadhar card is illegal, arbitrary, violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. It has further sought a consequent direction to the State government and the hospital to give admission and treat the patients in all Government Hospitals in the State of Telangana without mandatorily insisting to produce Aadhar card. 

The PIL states that it was reported in Eenadu Telugu daily newspaper on February 16 that without the Aadhar card, the Osmania General Hospital  refused to admit and treat one woman by name Pramila. 

"I submit that the Newspaper report further stated said Pramila came to Hyderabad and is doing petty works or begging in order to take care of herself and her six-years old daughter after death of her husband and son. Due to illness, when she visited the Osmania General Hospital (Respondent No. 2 herein), the authorities of the Respondent No. 2 Hospital refused to admit the woman into the Hospital and treat her, as she did not possess or produce the Aadhar card. Thus, it was further reported that the woman is lying on the floor outside Osmania Hospital for ten days in the miserable condition". 

The matter is next listed on February 28. 

Case title: Srinivas Byreddy vs State of TS

Counsel for petitioner: Advocate Baglekar Akash Kumar 

Counsel for respondents: Special GP S. Rahul Reddy