Court Directs Airlifting of Injured Victim to Ahmedabad for Specialized Treatment
In a landmark decision, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to bear all medical expenses for Ms. Jini Jhala, a victim of a recent gas pipeline blast in Indore. The court has further ordered the state authorities to airlift the severely injured Ms. Jhala to Zydus Hospital in Ahmedabad, where she can receive specialized treatment for her extensive burn injuries.
The judgment was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Jai Kumar Pillai, following a petition filed by Ritesh Inani. The incident, caused by illegal boring activity, had left several individuals injured, with Ms. Jhala being among the most severely affected.
The court was informed that while an initial surgery had been performed, the specialized care required for Ms. Jhala's condition was not available locally. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the court accepted the plea for her transfer to Ahmedabad and instructed the Commissioner of the Health Department, Bhopal, along with local authorities, to make the necessary arrangements promptly.
The court's order also emphasized that the Indore Municipal Corporation had already instructed Bombay Hospital, Indore, not to charge the injured individuals for their medical treatment. A compliance report regarding the airlifting and treatment arrangements has been requested by the court to be submitted by June 30, 2026.
This decision underscores the court's commitment to ensuring that victims of such unfortunate incidents receive timely and adequate medical care, without the burden of financial constraints.
Bottom line:-
State government directed to bear the expenses of specialized medical treatment for a victim of gas pipeline blast, including her airlifting to another city for better healthcare facilities.
Statutory provision(s): Not explicitly mentioned in the judgment.
Ritesh Inani v. State of M.P., (Madhya Pradesh)(Indore)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2931847
