According to the news reports, in an order issued on June 10, the commission directed the civil surgeon to submit a factual report at least one week before the next hearing scheduled for August 4. Copies of the order have also been forwarded to the Director General of Police and the Director General (Human Rights), Punjab.
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The action follows a complaint filed by Ludhiana-based human rights activist Arvind Sharma, who alleged that the prolonged absence of a regular forensic medicine specialist has been affecting the functioning of medico-legal and postmortem services at the civil hospital.
According to the complaint, the absence of a dedicated expert has forced the hospital to depend on forensic specialists from other institutions whenever specialised medico-legal opinions or postmortem assistance are required.
Officials reportedly draw support from institutions such as Christian Medical College (CMC), Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Hospital, and the forensic medicine specialist posted at Doraha whenever needed.
Sharma said the issue extended beyond an administrative vacancy and directly affected the criminal justice system. “Forensic medicine is an integral part of criminal investigations and the justice delivery system. A district hospital like civil hospital cannot continue functioning for such a long period without a regular forensic medicine specialist. I hope the commission’s intervention prompts the government to fill the vacancy at the earliest so that medico-legal services are strengthened, and people do not suffer because of administrative delays,” Sharma said, reports Hindustan Times.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramandeep Kaur stated that she had not yet received the commission’s notice but assured that a detailed response would be submitted within the stipulated time once received.
She added that the matter had already been taken up with the state government, with a request to post a regular forensic medicine specialist at the civil hospital. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, she said, “Till a regular expert is appointed, we ensure that medico-legal work is not affected. Whenever specialised opinion is required, we seek assistance from forensic experts at CMC, DMCH and ESI Hospital. We also consult the forensic specialist posted at Doraha whenever necessary.”
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