Hyderabad: A series of sudden deaths from heart attacks inside the Telangana High Court, particularly in Court Hall No. 21, has left lawyers alarmed and demanding urgent health safeguards. Over recent months, four advocates have died and another narrowly survived after being hospitalised.
The incidents, which lawyers say came without warning, have rattled the bar. They recall that those affected had appeared healthy, argued cases, and interacted normally before collapsing. The shock has intensified as more cases emerged in quick succession, prompting concern that the courtroom itself has become associated with tragedy.
On August 7 at about 2:20 p.m., advocate Pars Anantha Nageshwar Rao, 47, was seated in Court Hall No. 21 when he suddenly collapsed. He died while being taken to Osmania Hospital. On February 18, senior advocate Pusunuru Venugopala Rao was mid-argument in the same courtroom when he suffered a heart attack. Colleagues attempted CPR and alerted an ambulance, but he died before reaching hospital.
In other recent cases, advocates B. Venkataramana and Govardhan Reddy also died of heart attacks linked to proceedings in the High Court. Another lawyer, N.K.V., collapsed but survived after being rushed for emergency care. Lawyers note that in some cases, immediate medical intervention might have saved lives.
Calls for trained medical staff in High Court
Advocates blame the lack of CPR and first-aid training among High Court dispensary staff for preventable deaths. They have criticised what they describe as negligence and inadequate preparedness for emergencies inside the court complex.
Legal experts are now urging High Court authorities and the Bar Association to place emergency medical services near Court Hall No. 21, deploy trained personnel, and station a dedicated ambulance on site. They argue that without these measures, the health of practising lawyers remains at serious risk.
