SC seeks SOP to ensure citizens’ right to trauma care after PIL by NGO

As more than 460 people die in road accidents every day in India, the Supreme Court has proposed to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure citizens’ right to trauma care.

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, more than 1.68 lakh people died in road accidents in 2022.

Acting on a PIL filed by SaveLIFE Foundation, a bench led by Justice JK Maheshwari sought the assistance of Attorney General R Venkataramani in preparing the SOP.

“After hearing learned counsel for the parties and considering the prayers as made in the present writ petition in relation to the right of citizen for trauma care, which may affect the personal liberty and for getting the equal opportunity in the situation as contemplated in the petition, it transpires that formulation of SOP in consultation with the state governments may be appropriate,” the bench said in an order earlier this month.

After hearing counsel for the petitioner NGO, the bench said, “…in this connection we deem it appropriate to request learned Attorney General for India to provide assistance of his good office in scrutinising the stands of different state governments and union territories and after an opportunity to the petitioners, he may submit a report with respect to the recourse which can possibly be taken in the facts and looking to the prayer made in the writ petition.”

“In this view, we request learned Attorney General for India to take the lead and submit the report on the issues raised (in the PIL) within a period of six months…,” said the top court which had issued notice on the foundation’s petition on November 6, 2024.