The Supreme Court on Monday (October 13) issued contempt notices to 28 States and Union Territories for failing to comply with its directives on framing uniform standards for Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Critical Care Units (CCUs).
A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N. Kotiswar Singh summoned the Additional Chief Secretaries or senior-most health officials of the concerned States/UTs to appear in person on November 20, 2025, along with affidavits explaining why action should not be taken against them. The Court warned that no excuse of prior commitments or official engagements would be accepted.
The Bench cautioned that if reports are not submitted by the next hearing, or if compliance remains perfunctory, it will take “a very strict view” against the officials and the respective States/UTs.
The case originated from a 2016 medical negligence matter that evolved into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to establish nationwide standards for ICU and CCU operations. On August 19, 2025, the Court had directed all States and UTs to hold consultations with healthcare experts and submit standardised procedures by October 5, 2025.
Despite repeated extensions and warnings including during the September 18 hearing most States failed to comply. The Court had earlier co-opted Dr. Nitish Naik (AIIMS Delhi) into a three-member expert panel with ASG Aishwarya Bhati and Amicus Curiae Karan Bharihoke to oversee the process.
Expressing strong displeasure, the Bench remarked it was “more pained than shocked” at the States’ indifference.
States/UTs that failed to comply:
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
