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Synopsis

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) over the menace of rodents in a hospital in Prayagraj. 

The bench of Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Kshitij Shailendra decided so in view of a news item published in the daily newspaper 'Amar Ujala' on January 17. The article stated that in the Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital (SRN Hospital) in Prayagraj, the mice were causing harm to the medicines and other articles stored in the hospital.

The article also mentioned a statement by Dr. Ajay Saxena, Chief Superintendent, SRN Hospital, admitting that despite best efforts, the menace was still prevailing and options were being explored to deal with it.

"In case, the news item is correct, it is a potential threat to the patients visiting the hospital and those who are already admitted therein and a health hazard," the division bench said. 

Therefore, the bench asked Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal assisted by AK Goyal, Additional Chief Standing Counsel to seek instructions on the matter. 

At 2 pm, when the matter was again heard, the court was informed that the work of controlling rodent menace in the hospital had been outsourced to a housekeeping agency - A 1 Facility and Property Managers Private Limited.

The agency submitted a report addressed to the Chief Superintendent, SRN Hospital, stating that it was taking several measures to control the rodents, like providing rodent traps, rat pads, rat kill, etc. The agency had also assured the Chief Superintendent of taking the issue with all seriousness and to lodge a special drive to contain the menace.

The bench, however, opined that though it had been claimed that medicines at the hospital were properly stored and the presence of rodents was only due to attendants of patients who brought eatables inside the premises of the hospital, such an excuse could not justify the helplessness of the authorities and staff of the hospital.

"In fact, there is an admission on the part of the hospital authorities that rodents are creating all troubles in the premises," it highlighted. 

Therefore, while stressing that the issue is of public importance, affecting the health of those visiting the hospital and taking treatment there, court decided to monitor the measures being taken to control the menace.

"We, accordingly, require the Chief Superintendent, SRN Hospital to bring on record the details of the contract entered into by SRN Hospital with the Agency; the amount paid to the said Agency; the steps taken by the Agency to control the problem; and the steps, the respondents have taken or propose to take, to prevent the breeding of rodents in and around the SRN Hospital," the division bench ordered while posting the matter for further hearing on February 12, 2024. 

Case Title: Suo Motu In Re: Rodents Menace In SRN Hospital v. State of U.P.