Contempt plea over regulating online path labs: HC seeks Centre, Delhi govt's reply

The plea said that the court had on August 6 directed the authorities to initiate action in accordance with the law against any illegal online health service aggregators operating in Delhi in violation of the applicable law including the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulations) Act, 2010, if applicable, or in violation of any rules, regulations or government policies applicable to the facts of the case.

The plea alleged that the top official of the respondents are equally responsible for restraining the illegal practices of online aggregators being carried out in "utter violations" of the rules and regulations laid down by statutes and the guidelines issued by the respondents.

It also said that several illegal online aggregators are advertising freely by offering attractive packages for body check-ups including the test for COVID-19 through SMSs or various online modes.

"The petitioner has received advertisement of online aggregator through e-mail for getting tested. It's also submitted that it is an extremely serious issue that the online aggregators are operating without any authorization and approval. Besides, these online aggregators are not accredited by any accreditation agency," the plea said.

"The existence of such illegal online diagnostic aggregators are posing serious health challenges as a large number of people are falling prey to the attractive health packages being offered by these illegal online aggregators," it added.

The plea said that the acts of respondents "clearly constitute contempt of the court" and sought those appropriate contempt proceedings should be initiated against them for acting against the order of this court.

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