In the case of Pt. Parmanand Katara vs Union of India in Criminal Writ Petition No. 270 of 1988, D/-28.8,1989, [AIR 1989 Supreme Court 2039]. The Hon’ble Supreme Court had observed:

• ·       Every injured citizen brought for medical treatment should instantaneously be given medical aid to preserve life and thereafter the procedural criminal law should be allowed to operate in order to avoid negligent death. There is no legal impediment for a medical professional when he is called upon or requested to attend to an injured person needing his medical assistance immediately. The effort to save the person should be the top priority not only of the medical professional but even of the police or any other citizen who happens to be connected with that matter or who happens to notice such an incident or a situation”  
• ·       There are no provisions in the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Motor Vehicles Act, which prevents doctors from promptly attending to serious injured persons and accident cases before arrival of the police and their taking into cognizance of such cases, preparation of F.I.R. and other formalities by Police.

[Para 6]

• ·       There can be no second opinion that preservation of human life is of  paramount importance. This is so on account of the fact that once life is lost, the status quo ante cannot be restored, as resurrection is beyond the capacity of man.

 [Para 7] 

2. Following the Supreme Court order in 1989, the Motor Vehicles Act was amended in 1994, to make it mandatory on both the driver/owner of the vehicle to take the accident victim to the nearest doctor, and the doctor to treat the victim without waiting for any formalities.
The duty of the driver of the vehicle involved in an accident?

• ·       The driver or the owner of a vehicle involved in any accident that has caused injury or damage to any person is required to secure medical aid for the injured person, by taking him to the nearest doctor.
• ·       He shall report the matter to the nearest police station within 24 hours, and
• ·        Also inform the insurance company about the occurrence of the accident, namely, insurance policy number and period of its validity; date, times and place of accident; particulars of the persons injured and / or killed in the accident’ and name of the driver and particulars of his driving licence.

Is the duty of the driver mandated by any law? 

Yes, Section 134 of the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, 1988 states that the driver and / or the owner of the motor vehicle responsible for a road accident is required to take all reasonable steps to secure medical attention for the injured person by conveying him to the nearest medical practitioner or hospital, unless it is not practicable to do so on account of mob fury or any other reason beyond his control.

Is failure to comply with this action punishable?

Yes. Under Section 187 of MV Act 1988, whoever fails to comply with the provisions of the clauses of Section 134, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 months, or with fine which may extend to Rs. 500, or with both. If it is the second time for the person concerned, then the penalty is harsher. The imprisonment may extend to 6 months, or with fine, which may extend to Rs.1000, or with both.

Can a doctor/ hospital refuse medical care to emergency cases?

Every doctor whether at a Government hospital or otherwise has the professional obligation to extend his services with due expertise for protecting life. No law or State action can intervene to avoid / delay the discharge of the paramount obligation cast upon members of the medical profession. The obligation being total, absolute and paramount, laws of procedure whether in statutes or otherwise which would interfere with the discharge of this obligation cannot be sustained and must, therefore, give way”.

[Para 8]

Should the doctors / hospitals wait for the police to arrive or any legal formalities before attending to a road accident victim?

No. “The treatment of the patient should not wait for the arrival of the police or completion of legal formalities. All hospitals and doctors are required to provide immediate medical aid to all the cases, whether medico-legal or not “.

[Para 3]

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DEPARTMENT OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

(ROAD SAFETY CELL)

Transport Bhavan

1, Paliament Street, New Delhi 110001