Correct option is A
In the landmark case of Hakim Seikh vs. State of West Bengal, Hakim Seikh, a member of the Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti (a labor union for agricultural workers in West Bengal), was severely injured in a train accident. Despite his critical condition, he was denied medical treatment by several hospitals in West Bengal due to lack of available facilities. As a result, he had to visit multiple hospitals, causing a delay in receiving urgent medical attention, which worsened his condition.
This incident led to the filing of a petition in the Supreme Court of India by Hakim Seikh and the Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti. The petition highlighted the failure of the state to provide timely medical aid and argued that it violated his Fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to live with dignity, including access to basic healthcare.
Hakim Seikh and Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti filed a petition to ensure medical aid and healthcare, arguing that denial of medical treatment violated the Right to Life under Article 21. The case led to the recognition of healthcare as a Fundamental Right and placed a duty on the state to ensure timely and adequate medical care for all citizens.
Information Booster:
· Right to Health as a Fundamental Right:
The case strengthened the interpretation of Article 21, expanding it to include the Right to Health as a critical aspect of the Right to Life.
· State Accountability:
The case made the state responsible for providing sufficient healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that hospitals are adequately equipped to handle emergencies and prevent denial of treatment.
Additional Knowledge:
· Right to Life: Under Article 21, the Right to Life encompasses the right to live with dignity, which includes access to basic amenities like healthcare. This case reinforced the state's duty to provide such services.
· Medical Negligence: The Supreme Court’s decision in this case sets a precedent for addressing cases of medical negligence or denial of healthcare, ensuring that citizens have legal recourse in such situations.