The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the private Bombay Hospital in Indore to immediately admit and provide specialized treatment to a four-year-old girl who suffered burn injuries in an acid attack, while ensuring that her family is not burdened with the medical expenses. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 242]

The bench of Justice Deepak Khot passed an interim order on June 24, after taking note of the critical condition of the child and inadequate treatment facilities available at the government hospital where she had been admitted.

"In the considered opinion of this Court the petitioners are entitled to get treatment at the private hospitals as they suggest in their application in the light of the dictum of the Hon'ble Apex Court, therefore, without commenting on the affairs and conditions of the hospital where the petitioners are being treated this Court is of the opinion that as the petitioners are already registered with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya 'Niramayam' Yojna and they are willing to get treated at the specialized private hospital."

Per the petition, the minor girl, her 6-year-old brother and their mother sustained serious burn injuries in an acid attack on May 29, 2026. They were initially being treated at the Community Health Centre in Rajpur in Barwani District, but were later discharged due to a lack of adequate infrastructure and specialised treatment.

The petitioner informed the court that the acid attack survivors require prolonged and specialised medical care, while relying on the guidelines issues by the Supreme Court in Laxmi v Union of India and Parivartan Kendra v Union of India, which mandate free and comprehensive treatment for acid attack victims, including at private hospitals.

Earlier, the High Court had directed the State to assess whether the victims could have received better treatment at a super speciality hospital in Indore. A medical committee reported that the victims indeed required long-term specialised treatment.

However, the counsel for the petitioner raised serious concerns regarding the conditions of the burn ward at the government hospital, producing photographs that allegedly showed poor hygiene, fungal growth on the walls and the presence of rats.

The court observed that the 4-year-old girl and her 6-year-old brother had sustained several burn injuries and that inadequate treatment could lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis and septic shock.

Referring to the Supreme Court guidelines, the bench reiterated that both government and private hospitals are obligated to provide free medical treatment to acid attack victims and that such hospitals cannot refuse treatment on the grounds of lacking specialised facilities.

Considering the victims possess Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana cards with cashless treatment coverage up to ₹5Lakhs and had sought treatment at a specialised private hospital, the court directed the Bombay Hospital to admit the child immediately.

The bench further directed, "The Bombay Hospital, Indore is directed to admit the petitioner, forthwith. It is also made clear that Hospital in question will keep a separate account of.the expenditure incurred towards the treatment of the girl in question and shall not force the petitioner/demand the expenditure incurred in treating the girl in question, same shall be reimbursed from Ayushman Card of petitioners".

Additionally, the court directed the Secretary of DLSA Barwani to take appropriate action for releasing compensation and financial assistance.

Case Title: SC v State of Madhya Pradesh, WP-22348-2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (MP) 242

For Petitioner: Advocate Shannoshagufta Khan

For State: Advocate Anushka Bhargava

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