Ex-CJI's death: PM vows to act on 'medical lapses'

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured the family of late justice JS Verma that responsibility will be fixed if it was proved that the former CJI's death in April was caused by medical negligence.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured the family of late justice JS Verma that responsibility will be fixed if it was proved that the former CJI's death in April was caused by medical negligence.

Singh, in his reply to the wife of justice Verma, has informed her that the health ministry and the Medical Council of India were looking into the matter.

"Justice Verma was a widely respected figure and his passing away was a loss to all of us. I agree with you on the need to fix responsibility if there were lapses in his treatment," Singh has written to Pushpa Verma.

"My office has forwarded your letter to the health ministry, which is in consultation with the MCI for necessary action on issues raised by you," Singh has stated.

Justice Verma, 80, had died on April 22, three months after the panel headed by him had submitted a report recommending sweeping changes in criminal laws to deal with sexual offences against women in the wake of December 16 gang-rape.

In a letter sent to the PM on July 6, his wife had demanded an independent opinion on his medical reports from AIIMS experts.

"Copies of all papers and documents regarding his (justice Verma's) treatment are available with us, if required. Something good will emerge from the injustice faced by us if such a thing can be avoided," Pushpa Verma had written.