Telangana High Court seeks report on denial of treatment over Aadhaar Card

The Telangana High Court has directed the government to submit a report on allegations that a doctor at Osmania Hospital denied treatment to a homeless woman due to the absence of an Aadhaar card.

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has sought a detailed report from the state government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleges a doctor at Osmania Hospital refused to treat a woman patient because she did not present an Aadhaar card. The court questioned the government on the matter and directed the government counsel to submit an explanation.

A division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Pal and Justice Renuka Yara, heard the PIL and expressed concern over the claim that a homeless woman, who survives by begging, was denied medical care due to a lack of identity proof. The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the woman was turned away despite needing urgent treatment.

Government counsel S. Rahul Reddy argued that the patient had already received treatment before the news report was published and claimed that misinformation was being spread. He sought additional time to submit supporting documents before the court.

PIL Challenges Legality of Aadhaar Requirement

The petitioner, Srinivas Reddy, a resident of Himayatnagar, requested the court to declare the hospital’s action illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional, citing violations of Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution. The plea also urged the state government to ensure that no patient is denied medical treatment in Telangana’s government hospitals for not possessing or presenting an Aadhaar card.

The PIL referenced a Telugu newspaper report that claimed a woman named Pramila was denied admission and treatment at Osmania Hospital for not having an Aadhaar card. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 28.