Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Slams Hospital Over EWS Emergency Care SOP
The Supreme Court is working on rules for hospitals to give emergency care to economically weaker patients.
It had asked hospitals to help prepare these rules.
Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital said it had not received the court’s notice.
The court said this was contradicted by its records and began contempt proceedings.
The hospital’s Medical Superintendent must now reply within two weeks.
A lawyer helping the court said only 12 of 52 hospitals joined the consultation.
Other hospitals said they wanted to send comments on the revised rules.
The next hearing is scheduled for September 30.
The Supreme Court initiated contempt proceedings against Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital over its response to a notice.
The court said the hospital’s claim that it had not received notice was contradicted by an office report dated April 2, 2026.
The bench ordered the hospital’s Medical Superintendent to respond within two weeks.
Only 12 of 52 hospitals participated in consultations on a revised SOP for emergency care for EWS patients.
The case concerns a 2018 ruling requiring concessional-land hospitals to provide free treatment to EWS patients.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, 52 hospitals, amicus curiae Sanjay Jain, and EWS patients are involved.
- What
- The Supreme Court initiated contempt proceedings against Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital and reviewed a revised SOP for emergency care for EWS patients.
- When
- The court’s action was reported on Wednesday; the matter was posted for hearing on September 30, and the hospital was given two weeks to respond.
- Where
- The proceedings took place before the Supreme Court in New Delhi.
- Why
- The court said the hospital’s claim that it had not received notice was contradicted by an office report recording that notice had been served.
Supreme Court’s Position
Hospital and Other Hospitals’ Position
Notice to Yatharth Hospital
Supreme Court’s Position
The court said its office report clearly recorded that notice had been served and described the hospital’s contrary statement as ex facie false.
Hospital and Other Hospitals’ Position
Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital stated in its affidavit that it had not been served with notice to participate.
Participation in SOP consultations
Supreme Court’s Position
The court noted that only 12 of 52 hospitals had participated in the consultation process.
Hospital and Other Hospitals’ Position
Several hospitals said they wanted to file responses and suggestions on the revised SOP.
- Hospital facing proceedings
- Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital
- Required response period
- Two weeks
- Hospitals in consultation
- 12 of 52
- SOP status
- A revised standard operating procedure was filed as directed by the court.
- Original judgment
- A 2018 Supreme Court judgment required hospitals that received land at concessional rates to provide free treatment to EWS patients.
- In-patient quota
- 10% of treatment under the stated requirement
- Out-patient quota
- 25% of treatment under the stated requirement
- Next hearing
- September 30