Chhattisgarh HC Takes Suo Motu Congnizance After Guard Injects Patient at Gariyaband Hospital
Court took suo motu notice of the matter after a video showing a security guard administering an injection went viral;
The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of a serious incident at the District Hospital in Gariyaband, where a female security guard was captured on camera administering an injection to a patient in place of a staff nurse.
The incident, which was highlighted in a news report by Dainik Bhaskar, Bilaspur Bhaskar on August 22, 2025, prompted the court to take up the matter despite its original listing date of September 17, 2025. The bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru deemed the matter to be of grave concern, touching upon the very functioning and integrity of the district hospital.
The disturbing event came to light after a former Municipal Councilor, who had accompanied his nephew for medical treatment, filmed the security guard in the act. The video quickly went viral, causing significant embarrassment to the Health Department. In response, the Collector of Gariyaband issued show-cause notices to the Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. V.S. Navratna, and the Civil Surgeon, Dr. Yashwant Dhruv, warning of potential disciplinary action.
While acknowledging the notices issued to the officials, the High Court’s order, dated August 22, 2025, emphasized that such actions alone are not an adequate response. Curt stated that tangible and effective remedial measures are necessary to strengthen institutional monitoring, fix responsibility on delinquent officials, and implement mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
The bench highlighted that a security guard administering an injection is not only a breach of medical ethics and professional standards but also a "stark reflection of systemic failure" in ensuring accountability and patient care protocols. Such a lapse, court noted, imperils public trust in government medical institutions and undermines patient safety.
Court has directed the District Magistrate of Gariyaband to file a personal affidavit by the next hearing date, detailing the steps taken in response to the show-cause notices. The affidavit must also specify the preventive measures instituted to prevent similar lapses from occurring again at the District Hospital. The State Counsel has been directed to immediately inform the District Magistrate of the court's order to ensure timely compliance.
The case, originally scheduled for September 17, 2025, has been advanced and is now slated to be heard on August 28, 2025, due to the gravity of the circumstances.
Case Title: In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Versus The State Of Chhattisgarh
Order Date: August 22, 2025
Bench: Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha vs Justice Bibhu Datta Guru