In the stray dogs case that prompted the Supreme Court of India to take suo motu cognisance last year, the parents of the six-year-old victim whose death triggered the proceedings told the Court on Tuesday that multiple hospitals were guilty of negligence for denying timely treatment.
Case rooted in a child’s tragic death
The suo motu case arose from a newspaper report on the death of six-year-old Chavi Sharma, who was attacked and bitten multiple times by a stray dog in Pooth Kalan, Delhi. Despite being administered three doses of the rabies vaccine, the child later died. It was alleged that she was referred from one hospital to another, with several institutions refusing admission or treatment.
Parents seek enquiry into hospital conduct
Appearing for the parents, advocate Jasdeep Dhillon informed the Court that while the child received rabies vaccine shots at Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini, other major hospitals — including Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital — allegedly declined to admit or treat her injuries. He urged the Court to order an enquiry into the conduct of the hospitals, terming it a serious lapse in medical care.
Dhillon further submitted that the dog involved had bitten at least four other people earlier, but no preventive or remedial action was taken by authorities.
Bench halts debate on cause of death
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria firmly shut down attempts by some counsels to question the cause of the child’s death. When arguments were raised suggesting the death may not have been due to rabies, Justice Mehta strongly objected, and the Bench barred further commentary on the victim’s medical condition.
Wider concerns flagged
Another counsel highlighted the lack of accountability when stray dogs repeatedly attack people, arguing that existing systems fail to protect residents, especially children. The matter continues to draw attention to public safety, animal management policies and institutional responsibility.