In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on April 22, 2025, upheld the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’s (NCDRC) decision, holding Kamineni Hospitals vicariously liable for the medical negligence of its doctor, which led to the tragic death of a 27-year-old patient.

The NCDRC had earlier directed the hospital to pay ₹15 lakhs and the doctor ₹5 lakhs, totaling ₹20 lakhs in compensation. Challenging this, the hospital approached the Supreme Court, claiming that there was no expert medical evidence to support the finding of negligence.

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However, the Supreme Court bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih dismissed the appeal. They found that the evidence on record, including the deceased’s treatment documents, clearly indicated negligence by both the hospital and the doctor.

“There is ample evidence and records to indicate that there was indeed medical negligence at the end of the Appellant and Respondent No.2,” the Court observed.

The deceased was a B.Tech graduate working at a soap factory. Though his salary was modest, the Court recognized his potential future earnings and financial support to his family. The judges ruled that the NCDRC’s compensation was fair and justified.

“It cannot be said that the compensation is without any basis or is on the higher side,” the Court stated.

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The Court also acknowledged that the hospital had already deposited ₹10 lakhs as per an earlier interim order. Taking into account the accrued interest, the Court deemed this sufficient to satisfy the hospital’s share of the liability.

“The amount of ₹10 lakhs as stands deposited along with the accrued interest would serve the interest of justice,” the bench ruled.

The Court directed that this deposited amount, with interest, be disbursed to the complainant upon proper application to the Court Registrar.

Case Title:The Managing Director, Kamineni Hospitals vs. Peddi Narayana Swami & Anr.

Bench: Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih

Appearance:

For Petitioner(s) : Ms. Aruna Gupta, AOR Mr. Ramesh Allanki, Adv. Mr. Syed Ahmad Naqvi, Adv.

For Respondent(s) : Mrs. K.Radha, Adv. Mr. K.maruthi Rao, Adv. Mrs. Anjani Aiyagari, AOR Ms. Ekta Choudhary, AOR Mr. Ayush Kumar, Adv. Mr. Anand Krishna, Adv.