The Allahabad High Court has ordered a judicial inquiry by a retired High Court Judge into the circumstances surrounding the death of advocate Jagrati Shukla, who allegedly did not receive timely medical treatment after being brought to Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital, Prayagraj, following a road accident.
While hearing a criminal writ-PIL filed by the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad, the Bench directed former High Court Judge Justice Arun Tandon to inquire into allegations of medical negligence, the conduct of hospital authorities, and the clash between advocates and medical staff at SRN Hospital on May 20, 2026.
The Bench observed that the dispute between the two professional groups had escalated into protests, with advocates blocking roads and resident doctors going on strike, thereby affecting ordinary citizens. It observed, “…The dispute may be between two professional groups or two individuals but it cannot be made a cause to deprive the general people and the common man of their right to free movement or for medical aid in Government Hospitals…”.
A Division Bench of Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi, “…a legitimate suspicion does arise that the allegations that Jagrati Shukla, the deceased noted above, was not given the necessary medical treatment when she was brought to the medical hospital and the allegation that the advocates asking the doctors and other staff to provide them necessary medical treatment were manhandled and assaulted by the doctors may be true…”.
“…The events as they have evolved since 20.5.2026 developing in rivalry between two professional groups also make us suspect that any investigation by the district administration would be a sham investigation and any report would be a partisan report either in favour of the professionals group which is able to create pressure demonstrating its strength on the streets by its undignified activities which cause discomfort and harassment to the common man or would be in favour of the professional group which indulges in criminal activities denying medical treatment to poor and common man on whose tax-money it butters its bread. The incident requires a fair enquiry”.
Senior Advocate Omar Zamin and Advocate Mamta Singh appeared for the petitioners.
The Court noted that Jagrati Shukla, a practising advocate of the Allahabad High Court, suffered serious injuries in an accident while travelling to the High Court Cricket Ground for practice. She was taken to SRN Hospital by fellow advocates, where allegations were raised that emergency medical officers failed to provide immediate treatment.
According to the allegations placed before the Court, the emergency medical officer on duty was not attending to patients promptly and the accompanying advocates were allegedly misbehaved with when they requested urgent medical assistance. The situation later escalated into a confrontation between advocates and hospital staff.
The Court directed Justice Arun Tandon to examine:
-Whether Jagrati Shukla was immediately attended to by emergency medical officers and hospital staff after being brought to SRN Hospital;
-Whether the treatment provided was of the required standard and whether her death could be attributed to medical negligence;
-Who was responsible for the physical confrontation between doctors, hospital staff and advocates;
-Whether police personnel present at the trauma centre failed to ensure uninterrupted emergency services.
The inquiry report has been directed to be submitted in a sealed cover, preferably by September 30, 2026.
Taking note of the strike by resident doctors at SRN Hospital, the Court directed doctors and medical staff to immediately resume duties. The Bench directed that if any doctor, employee or medical staff member continued to abstain from work, the Principal of Motilal Nehru Medical College and the Superintendent of SRN Hospital would place such persons under suspension and report compliance to the Court.
The Court also directed the District Magistrate and Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, to ensure free movement of traffic and stated that all lawful powers, including use of force, may be exercised to remove any obstruction. The Bench noted that custodial interrogation was not required and also directed that any person already arrested be released on personal bond.
“It is also clarified that any violation of the directions issued above either by any member of the Bar in District Allahabad or by the employees, teachers, doctors or any other staff in any government medical institution and hospital shall be treated as Contempt of Court and the delinquent shall be liable to be prosecuted and punished as such”, the Bench said.
Cause Title: Amit Kumar Singh @ Sonu Singh and another State of U.P. and 9 others Public Interest Litigation (pil) No. 1493 of 2026