HC pulls up Maharashtra Govt over delays in Melghat district hospitals
Bombay High Court
Mumbai: On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court pulled up the State Government over delays in resolving cases related to the deaths of children and mothers in the tribal region of Melghat. The Court also directed the government to announce a timeline for laying the foundation stones for 50-bed district hospitals in the region.
Noting the persistent lack of adequate healthcare services in the region despite judicial intervention since 1993, a Division Bench comprising Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Abhay Mantri observed, "Somewhere, the agonies have to end”.
Along with this, the court also remarked that “We are in 2026 now. This much time do you take in this matter? And you’re still trying to tell us that someday hospitals will come up?”
However, the court further reiterated that this situation cannot continue and directed the State Government to clarify the timeline for the establishment of these hospitals.
Therefore, the court stated, “We fold our hands before you; tell us when you will announce the establishment of this hospital? We will grant you time to clarify this matter before us.” However, the court has scheduled the next hearing of this case for Thursday.
According to the HT news report, highlighting the long-standing issue of child and maternal mortality, advocate Jugalkishore Gilda, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, argued that approximately 30,000 children have died due to malnutrition over the past few years.
He highlighted the absence of experienced medical professionals in Melghat, despite repeated assurances from the State, and remarked, "No permanent solution has been found yet. The State has assured us that a 50-bed hospital will be established in this region, but God only knows when it will actually be implemented."
Meanwhile, the petitioners had previously informed the court that between June and November 2025, 65 infants under the age of six months died due to malnutrition, while 220 children fell into the category of 'Severe Acute Malnutrition' (SAM)—50% of whom could die if they were not provided with assistance.
