Plea In Jharkhand HC Seeks ₹1 Crore Compensation, Lifelong Medical Care For Children Allegedly Infected With HIV At Blood Bank

A writ petition has been filed before the Jharkhand High Court seeking compensation of ₹1 crore each and lifelong medical care for five minor children who were allegedly infected with HIV after receiving contaminated blood transfusions at the Chaibasa Sadar Hospital blood bank in October 2025.

Filed on behalf of children aged between 5 and 7 years, the petition states that all of them suffer from Thalassemia Major, a condition requiring regular blood transfusions. The children belong to Scheduled Tribe and OBC communities in West Singhbhum and Saraikela Kharsawan districts, with their families dependent on daily wage labour and residing in precarious living conditions.

The petition seeks a comprehensive relief package, including lifelong access to safe and screened blood transfusions, continuous Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), regular CD4 count and viral load monitoring, specialized nutritional support, and constitution of a Special Medical Board to assess long-term medical needs. It also seeks provision of pucca housing and counselling support to address social stigma faced by the families.

The plea highlights the case of a 7-year-old child who allegedly contracted HIV after being administered infected blood, despite both parents testing negative. It is alleged that the transfusion occurred due to gross negligence at the blood bank.

The petition contends that the State's announcement of ₹2 lakh ex-gratia compensation and suspension of certain officials is “grossly inadequate”, pointing to severe financial hardship, social ostracism, and even eviction faced by affected families.

Relying on Supreme Court precedent in CPL Ashish Kumar Chauhan, the petition argues that the State is vicariously liable for violation of the right to life under Article 21 due to egregious medical negligence.

The matter is expected to be listed for hearing shortly.

The petition has been filed through Advocate Md. Shadab Ansari.