Private hospitals can't turn away rape victims: Court

The Delhi High Court Thursday directed the city government and police to create public awareness about its orders that rape and road accident victims cannot be denied treatment by private hospitals.

A division bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice V.K. Jain asked the government and police to ensure "publicity" of its order within a week.

The court issued the directions after the government said it had issued notice to all hospitals not to deny emergency treatment to rape and road accident victims.

"Pursuant to our earlier order, the Delhi government has issued directions on the issue on Feb 21," the court noted.

"Referring to the order, the commissioner of police also issued directions to all police officials to take victims to a nearby hospital irrespective of whether it is government-run or private," the court added.

It was up to the city and central government to devise rules or mechanism for reimbursing the expenses incurred on the treatment, the bench added.

The court's directions came on a suo motu hearing on the Dec 16, 2012, gang-rape case.

The court would next hear the matter March 21. - IANS