SC orders Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to treat acid attack survivor irrespective of cost

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to provide an acid attack survivor with all necessary treatment, including plastic surgery, irrespective of the cost, until she is fit to be discharged.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant issued the direction on Friday after hearing an urgent application filed by an acid attack survivor who heads the Brave Souls Foundation, an organisation working for the rehabilitation and welfare of acid attack victims. 

The applicant informed the court that the victim suffered an acid attack in Delhi’s Bhajanpura area on October 6 and had sustained injuries to both eyes. Despite the legal provision for free treatment, she alleged that private hospitals were unwilling to provide the required care.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital reportedly cited the absence of a dedicated burn ward while advising the family to shift her to a government facility. The family also approached Apollo Hospital, but the family reportedly received a similar response.

Describing the circumstances as concerning, the bench, which also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, observed, “The application raises alarming facts.”

The applicant questioned why the survivor should have to move to a government hospital when the law entitles acid attack victims to free treatment at any hospital.

The application cited Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which requires public and private hospitals to provide acid attack survivors with immediate first aid and medical treatment free of cost.

As reported by Hindustan Times, the bench directed, “We direct the management of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to keep the acid attack victim as an indoor patient and provide her all facilities, including medicines, plastic surgery and any other treatment, irrespective of the cost of such treatment.” The court directed the hospital to forward the bill to the court and further held, “The victim shall not be discharged till she is in a position to be discharged and would require only outdoor treatment.”

According to the application, the victim was initially taken to Delhi government-run GTB Hospital after the attack. She sought discharge on October 8 and reached Sir Ganga Ram Hospital at around 4 pm the same day, but reportedly waited nearly three hours before being admitted to the emergency department.

The application alleged that she received only first-aid dressings and no substantive treatment despite the seriousness of her injuries. On Friday, her family was reportedly asked to prepare for discharge and approach another hospital equipped to treat her.

Following this development, the applicant sought an urgent hearing before the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme Court directed its Registry to list the application alongside a pending matter filed by her concerning acid attack victims.