The Haryana Human Rights Commission has sought detailed reports from the concerned authorities after allegations surfaced that a woman delivered a baby under torchlight in the open parking area outside the government primary health centre in Sector 3, Ballabhgarh, Faridabad.
Describing the matter as “extremely sensitive,” the Commission observed that the allegations raised serious concerns relating to human dignity, the right to life and access to emergency healthcare facilities. Officials said the rights body has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident based on a complaint and media reports.
Considering the gravity of the matter, Commission chairperson Justice Lalit Batra directed the authorities concerned to submit comprehensive reports explaining the circumstances that led to the incident. According to the complaint and newspaper reports placed before the Commission, the pregnant woman was taken to the government hospital in Ballabhgarh on the intervening night of May 15 and 16 after she developed labour pain.
However, as per the Commission’s order dated May 25, the material placed before it alleged serious medical negligence and administrative lapses, claiming that the woman had to give birth in the open parking space outside the hospital premises due to the absence of timely medical assistance.
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“The circumstances painfully remind one of primitive times when deliveries were conducted at home in the absence of proper medical facilities, institutional care and professional support,” the Commission observed in its order. The complaint alleged that upon reaching the hospital, the woman’s attendants found the main gate locked and no immediate medical help available in the emergency ward. Despite repeated attempts by family members to seek assistance from the hospital staff, no timely response was allegedly provided, forcing the attendants to conduct the delivery outside the hospital building.
According to the Commission, newspaper reports further indicated that the childbirth and related procedures were carried out under torchlight and in full public view, raising serious concerns about the dignity and privacy of the woman.
It was also reported that the family members themselves had to arrange a wheelchair and wait for a considerable period before any hospital staff reached the spot.
“This Commission cannot overlook the grim situation emerging from the allegations raised in the complaint and newspaper reports,” the order stated. The Commission further noted that while the Haryana government claims full implementation of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), which guarantees free and cashless delivery services at public health institutions, the present allegations painted a disturbing picture of the ground reality.
“The Commission finds it a glaring, pathetic situation that on the one hand, the state of Haryana claims full implementation of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), which ensures free and cashless delivery services in all public health institutions, but on the other hand, a pregnant woman, despite reaching the doorstep of a government hospital, could not access the labour room or emergency obstetric care in time and was ultimately compelled to deliver the child outside the hospital premises,” the order said.
The rights body observed that if the allegations are found to be true, they prima facie reveal an alarming state of affairs and expose major shortcomings in the public healthcare system. It added that such incidents weaken official claims regarding the adequacy and efficiency of healthcare infrastructure, especially when a woman in active labour is allegedly denied immediate institutional medical support.
“Prima facie, such circumstances raise serious concerns regarding accessibility and availability of emergency maternal healthcare services in government hospitals. The allegations directly concern the right to life, dignity, health and emergency medical care guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution,” the Commission noted.
The order further highlighted broader issues related to the availability of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff during emergency and night hours, functioning of emergency entry systems, adequacy of maternal healthcare facilities, accountability of medical authorities and protection of the dignity and privacy of women patients.
The Haryana Human Rights Commission has directed the authorities concerned to submit detailed responses before the next hearing.
The additional chief secretary, health and family welfare department, has been asked to explain the policy and mechanism in place to ensure round-the-clock emergency maternal healthcare services at government hospitals. The official has also been directed to provide details regarding action taken after the incident and corrective measures proposed to prevent such occurrences in future.
Similarly, the director general of health services has been instructed to furnish details regarding the availability of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff during emergency and night shifts at the concerned hospital. The report must also clarify whether emergency obstetric care protocols were followed and whether any departmental inquiry or action has been initiated in connection with the matter.
The civil surgeon of Faridabad has additionally been directed to explain why the woman was allegedly deprived of benefits under the JSSK scheme and why compensation should not be recommended for the alleged violation of her human dignity and fundamental rights.
The Commission has directed all concerned authorities to submit their reports at least one week before the next date of hearing scheduled for August 19.
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