PRIVATE DOCTORS WHO SUBMIT WISHY WASHY MEDICAL REPORTS ARE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE U/S 192 IPC

6th April 2021

Sketchy, wishy-washy medical documents from any random private doctor with ambiguous, incomplete documentation will not be entertained in future, rather viewed seriously with suspicion - Delhi HC

The order was passed by Justice Subramonium Prasad while dealing with a matter concerning sketchy medical reports filed by the Jail authorities at the time of granting bail. In the instant case, the accused was granted interim bail by additional sessions judge after submitting that he was suffering from a critical chest tumour; thus, he wasn't able to breathe properly. Later, while considering two more medical reports, the Court observed that the case was just of simple gynaecomastia; there was nothing such as a tumour in his chest. The same was not clarified in the medical reports.

The Court said Reports filed should be explicit and explain not just in medical jargon but also simple language. The doctors preparing the Status Reports must give their final opinion as to whether the condition warrants any urgency/emergency or if the patient's condition is likely benign/malignant/infective. The absence of such clarification in a medical report does not assist the Court; rather, the report conceals vital information from the Court. It must be noted that private doctors who submit such sketchy, wishy-washy medical reports are guilty of an offence under Section 192 IPC. Thus, the revision petition is disposed of.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal

PC: M3 India