'No Business Calling Yourself A Doctor': Supreme Court Tears Into Hospitals Over 4-Year-Old Rape Victim's Death
'No Business Calling Yourself A Doctor': Supreme Court Tears Into Hospitals Over 4-Year-Old Rape Victim's Death Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 14:29 IST
'No Business Calling Yourself A Doctor': Supreme Court Tears Into Hospitals Over 4-Year-Old Rape Victim's Death Published By, Last Updated: July 17, 2026, 14:29 IST SC slammed an Ayurvedic doctor and hospital for denying medical aid to a 4-year-old rape victim in Ghaziabad, questioning their empathy and suggesting victim compensation. Supreme Court of India (Photo: PTI) The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on a private Ayurvedic doctor and a hospital over their alleged failure to provide medical assistance to a four-year-old rape victim in Ghaziabad, questioning their empathy and directing them to consider paying compensation to the bereaved family. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing a plea filed by the child’s father alleging serious lapses in the investigation and the medical response following the incident in March. Expressing anguish over the conduct of the medical professionals, the Chief Justice questioned the doctor’s right to use the title if he failed to discharge his basic duty. “You have no business of writing ‘doctor’ [with your name] if you don’t perform your duty!
If you had sensitivity, you would have gone with the child to other hospital if you didn’t have facility…you ignored because she was poor? Couldn’t afford your fee?" the Bench remarked. The court also sharply criticised the Ayurvedic doctor for allegedly refusing to provide primary medical care to the child. “A child is brought before you and you are so merciless you did not provide medical care. If you had any empathy you would have taken her to the hospital yourself," the Chief Justice told the doctor. The Bench similarly censured the private hospital where the child was taken, observing that its conduct had been “most ruthless." “When we impose penalty it will have chilling effect. Think of victim compensation and grant a reasonable compensation to the family. You have acted in the most ruthless manner," the court told the hospital, while suggesting that it voluntarily compensate the victim’s family. The Bench indicated that if the institutions failed to do so, it would consider imposing costs. All About The Case The case relates to the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Ghaziabad on March 16.
According to the allegations, the child was taken away by a neighbour on the pretext of buying chocolates. After she failed to return, her family began searching for her and later found her unconscious and covered in blood. The plea alleges that two private hospitals refused to admit the child before she was eventually taken to the Ghaziabad district hospital, where doctors declared her dead. In April, while ordering an SIT probe into the case, the Supreme Court had observed that there appeared to be “complete indifference and insensitive approach" on the part of two private hospitals as well as the local police. “The most shocking part of the alleged offence is that it exhibits complete indifference and insensitive approach of two private hospitals as well as the local police," the Chief Justice had observed while directing the investigation. The case will now be taken up again next week. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What legal actions could the hospitals face? Hospitals that refused to treat a 4-year-old rape victim could face legal action, including potential compensation claims.
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