Anurag Sharma v. Union Of India And Others

CWP No. 88 of 2025 (O & M) -1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH ***** CWP No.88 of 2025 Date of decision : 29.5.2025 Anurag Sharma .............Petitioner

Versus

Union of India and others .......Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. J.S. Bhandari, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Salil Sabhlok, Senior DAG, Punjab Ms. Promila Nain, Senior Panel Counsel, UOI --- SHEEL NAGU, CJ. (ORAL) CM No.144-CWPIL-2025 This application is for stay of construction of the Critical Care Unit or Block at Gidderbaha, Punjab during the pendency of the present petition.

The main case is fixed for 22.7.2025. With the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the main case is preponed and taken up on Board today for hearing.

Main Case (O & M) 1.

This public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed aggrieved by the construction of Critical Care Unit/Block at Sri Muktsar Sahib, about

CWP No. 88 of 2025 (O & M) -233 kms. away from the District Hospital at Gidderbaha. 2.

Photocopy of the reply is taken on record subject to payment of ₹5000/- to be deposited in the Poor Patients Fund, PGI, Chandigarh within 3 weeks from today and also subject to the fact that State of Punjab files the original reply in the Registry within 3 weeks from today. It is an admitted fact that there is no Medical College at Sri Muktsar Sahib.

3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, as per the guidelines of Critical Care Unit/Block under Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, it is expected that the Critical Care Unit/Block would be a part of existing District or Medical College Hospital.

4.

The stand taken by the State of Punjab, especially for constructing the Critical Care Unit/Block 30-35 kms. away from the District Hospital at Sri Muktsar Sahib is, that the premises of the District Hospital of Sri Muktsar Sahib is short of space which will be required in future for expansion of the District Hospital/Critical Care Unit. 5.

We are conscious of the fact that the general public will be put to some inconvenience since the Critical Care Unit/Block is 30 to 35 kms. away from the District Hospital but keeping in view the concern put forth by State about need for future expansion as also space constraint at District Hospital of Sri Muktsar Sahib & also that the guidelines are not mandatory or statutory in nature but are merely directory in nature, this Court declines interference in the matter.

CWP No. 88 of 2025 (O & M) -36. However, liberty is afforded that in future if any member of the general public is aggrieved by the functioning of the Critical Care Unity/Block situated 30 to 35 kms. away from District Hospital at Sri Muktsar Sahib, such person may approach this Court, on showing sufficient cause.

7.

With these observations, the instant petition stands disposed of. All pending applications stand disposed of accordingly. (SHEEL NAGU) CHIEF JUSTICE (SUMEET GOEL) JUDGE 29.5.2025 Ashwani Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No