Chhattisgarh sterilisation tragedy: Supreme Court refuses to take suo motu cognisance

New Delhi, Nov 12: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to take suo motu cognisance of news reports relating to death of 11 women due to alleged medical negligence in sterilisation surgeries at Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh.

"The Chief Minister has taken up the issue with the Prime Minister. We cannot take it suo motu," a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said, when a lawyer cited a news report and sought judicial intervention in the matter.

"Instead of newspaper, you should have filed a proper petition," the bench, also comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and A K Sikri, said.

Eleven women died and 49 others were hospitalised after an alleged botched sterilisation procedure at a state-run camp in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district, prompting the government to suspend four doctors and transfer the Director of Health Services.

The state government set up a three-member panel to probe the allegations of medical negligence. Chief Minister Raman Singh met the victims at the hospitals and suspended four health officials, including two highly placed ones.

Singh ordered an inquiry and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those who fell ill after the surgery. Minster Agrawal took "complete moral responsibility" for the tragedy but ruled out the question of resigning.

(PTI)