Court Says Basic Healthcare Is Part of Article 21, Directs Government to Immediately Deploy Doctor, Nurses, Pharmacist, Lab Technician and Ambulance
Jodhpur: The Rajasthan High Court has stepped in over the lack of proper medical facilities at the Jodhpur Sessions Court Complex, where around 60 courts function and thousands of lawyers, court staff and litigants visit regularly.
The Court said that basic healthcare is part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 and that the State cannot ignore the need for emergency medical facilities.
The matter was brought before the Court by the Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association. It was submitted that the court complex earlier had a properly functioning Janta Clinic, but after the High Court shifted to its new premises in 2019, the medical facility at the Sessions Court Complex was left without adequate staff.
According to the Association, the sanctioned medical staff included a Medical Officer, two nurses, a Family Health Worker, pharmacist, lab technician, two ward boys, a sweeper and another support staff member. However, only a Family Health Worker and a fourth-class employee were presently deployed.
The issue became more serious after the Court was informed that lawyer Jeewan Ram Choudhary died at the Sessions Court Complex following a sudden heart attack, when basic emergency medical facilities such as medical staff and CPR were not available.
The High Court noted that the complex has around 60 courts, more than 600 court staff, nearly 1,500–2,000 lawyers and over 3,000 litigants and their family members regularly visiting the premises. Despite this heavy footfall, the complex lacked adequate medical staff, medicines, infrastructure and an ambulance.
The bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand observed that a court complex is not merely a building but an important part of the justice delivery system. The Court stressed that proper infrastructure, including medical facilities, is necessary to ensure effective access to justice.
The Court directed the Medical and Health Department to immediately deploy one Medical Officer, two Grade-II Nursing Staff, one Pharmacist, one Lab Technician, two Ward Boys and one Sweeper at the Sessions Court Complex.
The court also ordered the government to provide one ambulance to deal with medical emergencies involving lawyers, litigants, court staff, members of the public and judicial officers.
The Court directed the medical unit to have essential medicines, oxygen, basic testing and emergency equipment, along with an ambulance and emergency contact number.