Supreme Court Summons Health Officials from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Over ICU Safety Norms

The Supreme Court has summoned senior health officials from Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi, along with other states and union territories, for failing to comply with its directives on setting uniform patient safety standards for Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and critical care facilities.

A bench headed by Justice A. Amanullah, also comprising Justice N.K. Singh, directed the Additional Chief Secretaries or senior-most health department officials of the defaulting states and UTs to appear in person on November 20, the next date of hearing, to explain their non-compliance.

Calling the matter “serious,” the bench observed, “In our considered view, it is time this Court takes note of the indifference shown by the States and Union Territories.”

The bench further ordered that the officials appear personally, submitting duly affirmed affidavits, and made it clear that no excuses will be entertained.
“Those officials directed to appear shall not cite any prior engagements or commitments. Any such events must be rescheduled to give priority to today’s order,” the court stated firmly.

The Supreme Court expressed disappointment over the states’ failure to follow its directions, remarking that the indifference shown was disheartening, especially after the court had displayed “extraordinary leniency.”

The order noted, “Despite ample time and directions to file reports by October 5, 2025, compliance has not been ensured till date.”

States and Union Territories that failed to submit reports or did so after the deadline include: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Delhi (NCT), Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

The Court warned that if compliance is not achieved by the next date, or if it is done perfunctorily, “this Court will adopt an extremely stern approach against the concerned officials and the States/UTs.”

The matter stems from a 2016 petition highlighting medical negligence in private hospitals and the absence of uniform ICU and CCU standards. The Supreme Court has been monitoring the implementation of standardised critical care protocols across India.

On August 5, the apex court had directed each state and UT to hold consultations with all stakeholders, including corporate hospitals, to draft guidelines covering admission, treatment, staffing, hygiene, and infrastructure in ICUs and CCUs. Health secretaries were made personally responsible for compliance.

The Court had also constituted a three-member committee comprising Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, amicus curiae Karan Bharihoke, and Dr. Nitish Naik, Professor of Cardiology at AIIMS, New Delhi, directing all states and UTs to complete their reports by September 30 and submit them to the committee by October 5.

Despite these directions, several states failed to act, prompting the Supreme Court to summon top officials personally to ensure accountability and adherence to patient safety standards nationwide.