Recently, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance of a disturbing newspaper report highlighting the continued practice of unsafe childbirth methods in hilly and tribal regions of Maharashtra, despite massive public expenditure on maternal healthcare. The Court was hearing a Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation initiated after a report published in Daily Divya Marathi on December 2025 drew attention to the grim realities faced by pregnant women in remote areas
The case arose from news accounts stating that although the State Government had spent approximately Rs.771 crore over the last one and a half years to prevent maternal and infant deaths, essential health services were still failing to reach vulnerable populations in certain tribal belts. According to the report, women in these regions continued to rely on primitive and hazardous methods for delivery, including cutting umbilical cords with bamboo pieces or shaving blades. In some instances, even foetuses were allegedly cut into pieces using blades when complications arose during pregnancy. The report also mentioned that women in labour were sometimes made to consume Mahua liquor to cope with delivery pains
During the hearing, the Government Pleader informed the Court that he would seek instructions and place relevant data on record. He conceded that government welfare schemes might not be adequately reaching tribal populations and that similar conditions could exist not only in Nandurbar district but also in parts of Nanded district, including Kinwat
Expressing serious concern, the Bench observed that the State is constitutionally bound to provide proper healthcare facilities to all citizens, with special emphasis on women and children. The Court noted that while schemes involving ASHA workers and awareness programmes for pregnant women exist, their absence or non-functioning in tribal areas reflects a failure of implementation and governance
Taking formal cognisance of the issue, the High Court converted the matter into a Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation and directed the State Government to file detailed affidavits, along with comprehensive data from relevant departments, by December 19, 2025. The Court also appointed Advocate Geeta Deshpande as Amicus Curiae to assist the Court and directed the Registry to provide her with all necessary documents. The matter has been listed for further consideration on December 19, 2025
Case Title: The Registrar (Juidicial), high court of Bombay Versus The State Of Maharashtra And Others
Case No.: Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Stamp No.36990 Of 2025
Coram: Hon’ble Mr Justice Vibha Kankanwad and Hon’ble Mr Justice Hiten S. Venegavkar
Counsel for the Petitioner: Not mentioned
Counsel for the Respondent: Government Pleader A.B. Girase,
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