SC orders 2 Ghaziabad hospitals to pay Rs 12 lakh to rape victim's family

The Supreme Court on Friday directed two private hospitals in Ghaziabad to pay Rs 12 lakh in compensation to the parents of a four-year-old girl who was raped and murdered. The hospitals had refused to admit the child when she was brought to them in a critical condition, a lapse the court said amounted to a violation of her right to life.

The order came after the hospitals agreed to pay the amount during the hearing. The bench, while disposing of the matter, made it clear that emergency medical care cannot be denied on any grounds, including the inability to pay or lack of police formalities.

What happened to the child

The toddler was sexually assaulted and later died. When her family rushed her to the two hospitals in Ghaziabad, both turned them away, citing reasons that the court found unacceptable. The delay in treatment is believed to have worsened her condition, though the exact sequence of events remains part of the case records.

The parents, who have been fighting for justice since the incident, will receive the compensation from the hospitals. The Supreme Court's intervention came after the family approached it seeking relief, highlighting the failure of the medical facilities to provide emergency care.

Hospitals agree to pay

During the proceedings, the two hospitals told the court that they were willing to pay Rs 12 lakh to the child's father. The bench accepted the offer and closed the matter, but not before observing that such conduct by hospitals is unacceptable. The court noted that the right to emergency medical care is a fundamental right, especially for children in distress.

The compensation is separate from any criminal proceedings against the accused in the rape and murder case. The police have already filed charges, and the trial is underway. The hospitals' liability here is civil, arising from their refusal to treat the child, not from the crime itself.

Broader implications for hospitals

The ruling serves as a warning to private medical facilities across the country. In recent years, courts have repeatedly held that hospitals — both public and private — cannot refuse emergency treatment. The Supreme Court's decision reinforces that principle with a financial penalty, making it clear that negligence in such situations will cost more than just reputation.

Legal experts say the judgment could prompt hospitals to review their admission protocols, especially for trauma and child abuse cases. The Delhi High Court and various state courts have issued similar directives in the past, but the enforcement has often been weak. This order adds teeth to those guidelines.

The family's lawyer welcomed the decision, saying it brings some closure to the parents, who have endured immense suffering. The father, who has been the face of the legal battle, will receive the amount, though no amount can undo the loss of his daughter.

What next

The hospitals have been given time to pay the compensation, and the court will likely monitor compliance. Meanwhile, the criminal trial of the accused continues. This case may also push the Uttar Pradesh government to audit emergency care facilities in the state to ensure no child is turned away again.