Cannot do business at cost of people’s lives: HC to hospitals

Cannot do business at cost of people’s lives: HC to hospitals

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:27.02.2021 

The Gujarat high court has made it very clear that it will not permit hospitals to function and do business at the cost of people’s lives, if they do not have adequate fire safety systems in place.

During the hearing of the PIL and other litigations seeking action against those responsible for Shrey hospital fire and demanding proper implementation of fire safety laws, the bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and I J Vora rejected the request by Shrey Hospital to allow it to re-start its functioning.

The judges said, “You cannot run a hospital in this apartment that is for sure. Originally, it was a residential plan and you got it changed from residential to commercial purpose-…We cannot permit you to run this hospital anymore.”

The judges further said, “We cannot allow you to carry out the business at the cost of people’s lives. There are other businesses, you can do it.” The judges were very critical of the hospital owner’s approach and repeatedly commented that they are “powerful” people. The court expressed its displeasure when the kin of fire victims complained that mild charges were invoked against those responsible for the fire in which eight Covid-19 patients lost their lives in August 2020.

The court also took notice of the complaint that the hospital owner tried to influence the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation officials. Justice Pardiwala told hospital’s lawyer, “Better tell your client that he should not try to exert pressure on any of the corporation officials. You need to lie low.”

Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association also appeared before the court, but judges refused to hear it. “Why are you unnecessarily poking into this PIL. You remain in dialogue with the corporation. Either comply or pull down shutters. We don’t know how you run the show. If you don’t have (fire) NOC, shut down. Just comply and report. Things are going to be very serious.”