Detaining patients for unpaid bills is illegal: Bombay high court | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Detaining patients for unpaid bills is illegal: Bombay high court

Press Trust of India, Mumbai | By
Jan 12, 2018 07:31 PM IST

The health department of the Maharashtra government has been directed to publish on its website the legal rights of patients and the penal provisions that can be invoked against errant hospitals.

The Bombay High Court asserted on Friday that detaining a patient in hospital over unpaid bills is illegal, and “every member of public” must be made aware of this.

Opining that the government should formulate a mechanism to protect such patients and their families, the Bombay high court bench said hospitals can always resort to legal remedies to recover their dues.(Representational Photo)
Opining that the government should formulate a mechanism to protect such patients and their families, the Bombay high court bench said hospitals can always resort to legal remedies to recover their dues.(Representational Photo)

A bench of Justices SC Dharmadhikari and Bharati Dangre directed the health department of the Maharashtra government to publish on its website the legal rights of patients and the penal provisions that can be invoked against errant hospitals.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“How can a hospital detain a person who is declared fit otherwise on the ground of non-payment of fees? Such hospital is curtailing the personal liberty of a person.

“Every member of the public must be made aware that such action on the part of a hospital is illegal,” the bench said.

The bench, however, refused to issue any specific regulatory order against hospitals, saying it is government’s job.

“We can’t commit a judicial overreach by issuing regulations on the issue. However, we must make it clear that we are sympathetic to the issue,” it said.

Opining that the government should formulate a mechanism to protect such patients and their families, the bench said hospitals can always resort to legal remedies to recover their dues.

The high court was hearing a public interest litigation which cited two cases where patients were allegedly detained at private hospitals over disputed bills.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On