पं. परमानंद कटारा बनाम भारत संघ
| Citation | (1989) 4 SCC 286 |
| Court | Supreme Court of India |
| Date | 28 August 1989 |
| Year | 1989 |
| Bench | Ranganath Misra, G.L. Oza JJ. |
| Acts/Articles | Article 21 |
| Category | Constitutional Law |
Key Principle Established
Every doctor has a professional obligation to provide immediate medical treatment to an injured person. No procedural law can interfere with this humanitarian duty.
A PIL was filed highlighting that injured persons were being denied medical treatment because hospitals demanded police clearance before treating accident and assault victims, leading to preventable deaths.
The Court directed that every doctor must provide instantaneous treatment to any injured person to preserve life. No criminal procedural law, zonal regulation, or institutional rule can operate as a fetter on this humanitarian obligation.
This judgment made emergency medical treatment a fundamental right. It removed the excuse hospitals gave for refusing treatment pending police formalities, saving countless lives.
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Read AnalysisThis judgment summary is for educational and research purposes. While care has been taken to accurately represent the ratio and findings, for authoritative reference always consult the original judgment text from official sources (SCC Online, AIR, Manupatra, or court websites).
22+ years of practice before Punjab & Haryana High Court and Supreme Court of India.