HC DB: District Courts need adequate Emergency Healthcare Facility

The Delhi High Court has closed a public interest litigation seeking robust emergency medical facilities across the city’s district court complexes, while underscoring the seriousness of the concern and directing the petitioner to pursue the issue through the Court’s administrative mechanism, an approach that could shape how infrastructure gaps in judicial spaces are addressed going forward.

The PIL was filed highlighting the absence of adequate healthcare infrastructure for lawyers, litigants, court staff, security personnel, and undertrials who throng district court complexes daily. The petitioner pointed to the heavy footfall, often running into tens of thousands, and argued that existing dispensaries in some courts were insufficient to handle medical emergencies. Drawing attention to the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat initiative, the plea sought the establishment of Jan Arogya Mandirs within court premises to ensure access to basic and emergency medical care.

A Division Bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya acknowledged the gravity of the issue but held that it was best addressed administratively rather than through adversarial litigation. Appreciating the concern raised, the Bench remarked, “We agree… Thank you for drawing our attention to this issue,” and advised the petitioner to approach the High Court on its administrative side.

The Court permitted the petitioner to submit a detailed representation to all relevant authorities, including the Registrar General, within two weeks, directing that any such representation be examined in consultation with the High Court administration and acted upon appropriately. With these directions, the PIL was disposed of.