P&H High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking Emergency Medical Care For Accident Victims After Punjabi Singer's Death In Collision

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought a response from the Union of India, the States of Punjab and Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to ensure the availability of preliminary and emergency medical care to accident victims.

The petition has been filed by Lawyers for Human Rights International, in the wake of the tragic death of renowned Punjabi singer Rajvir Singh Jawanda, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a road accident on October 8, 2025.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry issued notice to Union Government, Punjab, Haryana and other authorities and listed the matter for December 18.

According to the petition, the singer met with an accident on September 27, 2025, when his motorcycle collided with stray cattle that had suddenly appeared on the road. He suffered severe head and spinal injuries and was initially taken to JM Shory Multispecialty Hospital, Pinjore, located near the accident site.

However, as per DDR  dated 28.09.2025 registered at Police Station, Pinjore, the attending doctor at JM Shory Hospital allegedly refused to provide preliminary medical care. Subsequently, Jawanda was taken to Civil Hospital, Panchkula, where he received initial medical attention before being referred to Paras Hospital, Panchkula, and later to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where he passed away during treatment on October 8, 2025.

The petitioner sought an independent inquiry by a Board of Doctors from PGI, Chandigarh to review the entire medical history of the deceased singer and determine whether there was any negligence on the part of JM Shory Multispecialty Hospital.

The plea relies upon the standards of medical care prescribed by the Supreme Court in Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab (2005), and seeks the Court's intervention to ensure that those standards are adhered to by hospitals and medical practitioners dealing with accident victims.

The PIL highlighted lack of immediate medical response facilities in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. It stated that, barring a few ambulances available on National Highways, there is no comprehensive system in place for ensuring prompt medical assistance to accident victims.

Referring to the Supreme Court's judgment in Parmanand Katara v. Union of India (1989 AIR SC 2039), the petitioner urged the High Court to direct the authorities to establish a robust trauma care network with ambulances equipped with doctors and medical staff capable of providing on-the-spot emergency treatment.

Title: LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL V/S UNION OF INDIA AND ORS

Advocate Navkiran Singh for the petitioner

Senior Advocate Dhiraj Jain, Sr. Panel Counsel appeared for the Union Government.