In Brief
Kousik Pal's mother died shortly after receiving treatment at B.M. Birla Heart Research Centre, with a misleading discharge summary stating her condition was "stable." The West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission found deficiencies in patient care and unqualified personnel, awarding ₹20 lakh compensation. The High Court Division Bench reversed this on jurisdictional grounds, claiming the Commission lacked authority. The Supreme Court clarified that regulatory commissions have distinct, autonomous jurisdiction to adjudicate deficiency in patient care and award compensation—a power separate from medical councils' exclusive authority over professional negligence. The Court restored the ₹20 lakh award and criticized the Division Bench's over-restrictive interpretation, emphasizing that patient care standards can be adjudicated by regulatory bodies without encroaching on medical negligence jurisdiction.
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