The Supreme Court has affirmed the liability fastened by the NCDRC upon a hospital for medical negligence resulting in the death of a 27-year-old B.Tech graduate. The Court, however, modified the compensation awarded to the claimants by the National Consumers Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) from Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs payable by Kamineni Hospitals (Appellant). A Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih remarked that “considering that the individual was a B.Tech graduate and he was working in a soap factory, albeit drawing a modest salary. In the beginning, when youngsters start their career, generally, humble short steps are taken. It is evident that he was financially supporting the family and had the qualification and potentiality for earning higher income in future. Therefore, it cannot be said that the compensation as has been assessed by NCDRC is without any basis or the quantum is on extremely higher side. As a matter of fact, the NCDRC has fixed the compensation at Rs.5 lakhs to be paid by Dr. J.V.S. Vidyasagar, proforma Respondent no.2 who has accepted the said judgment and has even deposited the said amount.”
AOR Aruna Gupta appeared for the Appellant, while Advocate K. Radha represented the Respondent. Brief Facts The case originated from a complaint of medical negligence that led to the NCDRC holding the Appellant hospital vicariously liable and imposing a total liability of Rs. 20 lakhs, which included Rs. 15 lakhs for the hospital and Rs. 5 lakhs for the doctor. The Appellant challenged this Order, arguing that the finding of negligence was not substantiated by medical literature or expert evidence, and that due care was observed in the treatment of the deceased patient. Court’s Reasoning The Supreme Court noted, “As regards the amount of Rs. 15 lakhs is concerned which is assessed to be paid as compensation by the Appellant, it would not be out of way to mention here that while issuing notice in the present case, this Court had directed the Appellant to deposit an amount of Rs.10 lakhs in the Registry of this Court to be invested in short term fixed deposit to be renewed from time to time.” Also Read - Mere Possibility Or Occasional Misuse Doesn’t Render It Constitutionally Infirm: Supreme Court Upholds Constitutional Validity Of Section 498A IPC “We have been informed that the said amount has increased with the auto renewal facility over a period of time. We are thus of the considered view that the amount of Rs.10 lakhs as stands deposited in this Court by the Appellant along with the accrued interest thereon would serve the interest of justice and the said amount of compensation would suffice as far as the liability of the appellant hospital is concerned,” the Bench remarked. Consequently, the Court ordered, “In view of the above, the decision of the NCDRC is upheld however, the amount of compensation with regard to the liability of the appellant – hospital would stand at Rs.10 lakhs along with accrued interest. The amount so deposited be disbursed to Respondent no.1 – the complainant on an application to be submitted to the concerned Registrar of this Court.” Also Read - Supreme Court: High Court Must Examine Accused's Statement U/s. 313 CrPC At Earliest Stage In Conviction Appeal And Cure Any Defects Accordingly, the Supreme Court disposed of the Appeal. Cause Title: The Managing Director, Kamineni Hospitals v. Peddi Narayana Swami & Anr. (Neutral Citation: 2025 INSC 527) Appearance: Appellant: AOR Aruna Gupta; Advocates Ramesh Allanki and Syed Ahmad Naqvi Respondent: AOR Anjani Aiyagari and Ekta Choudhary; Advocates K. Radha, K. Maruthi R, Ayush Kumar and Anand Krishna
https://www.verdictum.in/court-updates/supreme-court/medical-negligence-compensation-btech-graduate-death-2025-insc-527-managing-director-kamineni-hospitals-v-peddi-narayana-swami-1574967