Elderly COVID Patient Missing From Hospital- "Matter Of Serious Concern, Trace Him Before Aug 27": Allahabad HC Raps Authorities

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday rapped the Prayagraj District Administration, Police, and the TB Sapru Hospital administration (Prayagraj) in a case pertaining to the missing of a COVID Patient (82-year-old) although more than three months have passed since a missing report had been registered.

The Bench of Justice Surya Prakash Kesarwani and Justice Piyush Agrawal was hearing a Habeas Corpus plea seeking the release of an 82 years old man from the custody of TB Sapru Hospital in Prayagraj, where he was admitted for treatment of Covid-19 but purportedly went missing.

Filing a personal affidavit in the matter, the Superintendent of Police, Prayagraj stated that the CCTV Cameras of the Hospital were not found functional and as such the Chowki In-charge, who visited the Hospital could not obtain C.C.T.V. Footage. He also mentioned various efforts being made to trace the corpus. 

Also, in his personal affidavit, the District Magistrate, Prayagraj stated that a fact-finding inquiry has been set up on August 18, 2021, appointing the City Magistrate, Prayagraj to enquire into the matter and submit a report within a week.

Court's observations

Calling it a matter of serious concern that gross negligence had been prima facie shown by the Officers/Doctors/Staff of T.B. Sapru Hospital, Prayagraj, the Court further observed thus:

"Undisputedly, the corpus was admitted in T.B. Sapru Hospital for treatment as he was tested corona positive. Neither the District Administration nor the Police nor the Hospital appears to be serious about the missing of the corpus although more than three months have passed since the missing report was registered on 08.05.2021. This prima facie shows not only gross negligence and dereliction in duty by the Officers/Doctors/Staff of the TB Sapru Hospital, Prayagraj but also indicates total carelessness in treatment, look-after and safety of COVID patients at T.B. Sapru Hospital, Prayagraj."

Further, the Court said that the matter required immediate attention of Principal Secretary, Medical Health, and the Principal Secretary Home, Uttar Pradesh for immediate action.

Also, the State Government was directed to immediately ensure that all infrastructure facilities and security equipments, safety, and security measures of high standards be installed with inbuilt provisions of its regular maintenance and periodical audit.

A report has also been sought in this regard.

Lastly, the State Of Uttar was directed to ensure that before the next date fixed (August 27) the corpus may be traced and a report in this regard be placed before this Bench.

Case title - Rahul Yadav v. State Of U.P. And 4 Others

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