The Madhya Pradesh High Court has demanded a fresh status report from the State Government concerning actions taken against private hospitals in Jabalpur that were allegedly registered in violation of legal and procedural norms.
This direction came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raised serious concerns about how registration permissions were granted to private hospitals and nursing homes. The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain.
“The respondents are directed to file a fresh status report for the action being taken against the erring hospitals within four weeks,” stated the Court.
The petitioner alleged that the entire process of granting registration lacked transparency and was conducted without proper verification. The Court was informed that a questionnaire concerning these irregularities was also given to the State’s counsel. The Court asked the State to consider the questionnaire while filing its reply and to act as per the law.
“In reply to be filed by the State, they will also indicate as to what action has been taken upon the questionnaire or whether the questionnaire has been taken into consideration or not,” the Bench directed.
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The PIL brought to light severe lapses in following guidelines issued by the State Government. The focus was particularly on the role of the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), who is responsible for approving hospital registrations in Jabalpur.
As per data obtained through the Right to Information Act (RTI), Jabalpur has around 160 private hospitals and nursing homes. Out of these, 63 were granted registration between 2019 and 2021 — nearly 38% of the total — without adequate scrutiny of documents and statutory compliance.
The plea claims that registration was granted based on online applications supported by incomplete or photocopied documents. Critical checks like building compliance, fire safety norms, and possession of a Fire Safety NOC or Building Completion Certificate were not thoroughly verified.
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On April 3, 2024, the State submitted its fourth action report. However, no further updates were given after that until the recent hearing on April 3, 2025. During the hearing, the State's counsel informed the Court that licenses of two hospitals — Apple Hospital and Kothari Hospital in Jabalpur — had been cancelled after the last status report.
Despite this, the Court insisted on updated action details.
“The State is on the advanced stage to take action against the erring officers,” the counsel said, adding that the earlier constituted committee had submitted its findings.
The petitioner further informed the Court that some doctors gave inspection reports in favour of New Life Multispeciality Hospital, based on which a licence was issued by the CMHO. However, those inspection reports were later found inadequate. No disciplinary steps were taken against those doctors, the petitioner claimed.
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Previously, a four-member committee was set up by the State to investigate the concerns raised in the PIL. The committee submitted its findings, which were ordered to be handed over to the Station House Officer for further investigation in connection with FIR No.195/2022 — a case related to a fire at Life Multispeciality Hospital.
The Court also directed the State to take into account the questionnaire submitted by the petitioner’s counsel, especially on questions linked to illegal registrations. This direction was issued in compliance with the oral order passed by the Court on April 10, 2024.
The case has now been listed for further hearing after six weeks.
Case Title: Law Students Association MP Having Its Registered Office At B2 Samdariya Residency Near Beoharbagh P Vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh And Others, WP No. 1435 Of 2022
