Submit Medical reports in criminal cases within 48 hours, HC tells Haryana doctors

"Even doctors may be directed that in case they receive any communication from the investigating officers (IOs) of criminal matters, every communication should be replied to by the doctor concerned within a period of three days on receipt of any such communication. This negligence on part of the doctors/IOs has seriously hampered the process of investigation as well as crippled the entire judicial system," said the bench. 

As per a TOI news report, the directions came while hearing a bail plea filed by an accused arrested in a case related to a death in Sonipat. The accused claimed that the victim's death happened due to medical negligence and not injuries, and that he had been wrongly arrested in November 2023. Shockingly, even after several months, the cause of death had not been officially determined. 

The petitioner argued that despite being arrested for more than 1.5 years, the cause of the victim's death remains unascertained. The counsel claimed that the petitioner was wrongly arrested in the case. The state conceded before the bench confirmed that the cause of death had not yet been determined.

Considering the arguments, the bench observed, "Secretary, department of health and family welfare, Haryana is directed to issue instructions to all the doctors posted in all govt hospitals as well as medical colleges in Haryana to prepare all the reports at the earliest and within two days of preparation of such reports, these shall be handed over to IOs against receipt."

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