The Delhi High Court has expressed serious concern over the lack of free medical facilities for minor girls who are victims of sexual assault. A bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Amit Sharma directed that no hospital, laboratory, clinic, or nursing home should deny treatment to such victims. The court mandated that they receive free surgeries, diagnostic tests, and other medical services.
Key Court Directives
The court issued these orders during the hearing of a case involving a minor rape survivor, highlighting hurdles in accessing free medical services despite guidelines from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Bharat Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita-2023 (BNSS). It instructed the central and Delhi governments, along with all clinics and nursing homes, to strictly adhere to these rules. Any violations will result in fines, imprisonment of up to one year, or both. Victims will also be provided mental and physical counseling. In emergency cases, admission to hospitals will not require an identity document. Furthermore, no charges will be imposed for transferring a victim from one hospital to another.
This directive ensures that minor survivors of sexual assault receive timely and essential medical care without financial constraints, aiding in their recovery and rehabilitation.
