‘O+ Patient Given AB+ Blood’: State Admits Fatal Lapse at Swaroop Rani Hospital, Prayagraj, Before Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Director General of Medical Education, Uttar Pradesh, to ensure constitution of a committee to recommend infrastructural and procedural reforms at Motilal Nehru National Medical College, Prayagraj, after the state conceded that a woman died due to transfusion of the wrong blood group at Swaroop Rani Hospital, which is associated with the medical college.

Hearing a writ petition filed by the son of the deceased, Saurabh Singh, the division bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Siddharth Nandan recorded the fair concession of the Additional Advocate General that the deceased died on account of transfusion of an incorrect blood group.

Court noted that her blood group was O+, but AB+ blood was administered, which led to post-operative complications resulting in her death. The bench further observed that, prima facie, the subsequent treatment appeared to have been given to counter the ill effects of the mismatched transfusion.

In view of the state’s admission regarding the cause of death, court observed that it was not required to examine that issue further. However, it indicated that if compensation were to be granted in exercise of its constitutional jurisdiction, it would require assistance from both sides on the settled law governing grant of compensation by a high court in such cases, including relevant precedents and factors to be considered.

Taking note of documents placed on record by the state indicating requests by the head of the department for improved facilities at the medical college, the bench directed respondent no. 6, the Director General of Medical Education, to instruct respondent no. 1, the hospital, to constitute a committee comprising members of different departments of the concerned medical college

The committee has been tasked with collecting necessary data and making recommendations to ensure that, in future, no such untoward incident resulting in loss of life occurs due to want of facilities or absence of a proper mechanism.

Court directed that the committee shall function under the Chairmanship of the Principal of the concerned medical college. It further ordered that within five weeks, a comprehensive report outlining necessary infrastructural and procedural directives be submitted to the Director General of Medical Education for appropriate action.

The Director General has been placed under an obligation to extend all necessary financial and administrative assistance. The Principal has been directed to file a personal affidavit placing the committee’s report and the response of the Director General of Medical Education on record. The Additional Advocate General also assured the court that an affidavit indicating the proposed quantum of compensation will be filed.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on March 23, 2026 at 2 pm.

According to the pleadings in the writ petition, the petitioner’s mother, Urmila, had been admitted to Swaroop Rani Hospital, where pathological tests recorded her blood group as O+. She subsequently underwent surgery. The petitioner alleged that during post-operative care, she was transfused with AB+ blood, which constituted a serious medical lapse and caused fatal complications.

It was further alleged that after learning of the mismatched transfusion, the petitioner made complaints before the authorities. Even after his mother’s death, he pursued the matter, but no action was allegedly taken against the concerned medical officers and staff, compelling him to approach the high court.

When the matter first came up, court directed that the Chief Medical Superintendent of Swaroop Rani Hospital be impleaded as a necessary party, noting that the hospital functions under his administrative control. The state was directed to obtain instructions and place relevant records before the Court.

Subsequently, original treatment documents were filed by the state and taken on record in sealed cover. The bench also directed production of additional documents, including identification records of another patient whose details allegedly appeared in a blood requisition form, and permitted impleadment of the Director General of Medical Education.

With the state now conceding that the cause of death was transfusion of the wrong blood group, the high court has shifted its focus to systemic reform and the question of compensation, while monitoring compliance through affidavits and a detailed institutional report.

Case Title: Saurabh Singh vs. Swaroop Rani Hospital And 3 Others

Order Date: February 2, 2026

Bench: Justices Atul Sreedharan and Siddharth Nandan