Supreme Court Directs Apollo Hospital to Respond to Delhi Government Report on Lease Violations

The Supreme Court of India has directed Indraprastha Apollo Hospital to submit its response to a Delhi government report that found serious breaches of the land lease conditions related to the treatment of poor patients. The court’s directive comes after an expert committee revealed significant non-compliance with the hospital’s legal obligations under its land lease agreement.

Background of the Case

The matter originates from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the All India Lawyers Union before the Delhi High Court, alleging that Apollo Hospital failed to provide free medical facilities to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) patients as mandated under the lease terms.

The Delhi High Court, in its 2009 judgment, had directed Apollo Hospital to comply with the conditions of its lease deed, which required the hospital to reserve a fixed quota of free medical services for underprivileged patients. Dissatisfied with the High Court’s order, the hospital—operated by Indraprastha Medical Corporation Limited (IMCL)—approached the Supreme Court in appeal.

Lease Terms and Legal Obligations

In April 1988, the Apollo Group entered into a 30-year lease agreement with the Delhi Government for constructing a multi-specialty hospital on a 15-acre land parcel in Sarita Vihar, at a nominal lease rate of ₹1 per month.

As per the lease conditions:

  • The hospital was required to set aside at least 33% of inpatient beds and 40% of outpatient department (OPD) services for free treatment of EWS patients.

  • It was also obligated to provide free diagnostic facilities to one-third of the total 600-bed capacity.

These provisions were designed to ensure that the subsidized land granted for public welfare would translate into affordable healthcare access for the poor.

Findings of the Expert Committee

Following the Supreme Court’s order in March 2024, an inspection team comprising four doctors led by Dr. Anil Aggarwal of GB Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER) was constituted by the Delhi government.

The team inspected the hospital on May 30, June 10, and June 16, reviewing five years of records on EWS patient admissions and treatments.

According to the committee’s report:

  • The hospital had extended less than 10% of its services to EWS patients—far below the required 40% OPD and 33% inpatient quota.

  • EWS patients were charged for medicines and consumables instead of receiving them free, as per the lease condition.

  • Some patients were billed 20% of consumables used in diagnostics, and others were directed to purchase medicines externally.

This amounted to a direct violation of the hospital’s contractual and public service obligations.

Supreme Court’s Directive

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi took the Delhi government’s report on record. The Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.D. Sanjay presented the findings before the bench.

The Court has now granted Apollo Hospital three weeks to file its response to the report and listed the matter for hearing in the second week of December 2025.

The bench observed:

“The petitioner (Indraprastha Medical Corporation Limited) is at liberty to file a response to the report within three weeks.”

Government’s Position and Lease Renewal

The Delhi government has informed the Supreme Court that Apollo’s 30-year lease expired on July 31, 2023, and any further renewal will depend on the hospital’s compliance with the EWS treatment obligations. The committee’s findings are expected to play a critical role in determining the renewal of the land lease.

Legal and Constitutional Provisions Involved

This case involves an intersection of public trust principles, contractual obligations, and constitutional rights:

  • Article 14 (Right to Equality): The failure to provide free treatment to EWS patients amounts to a denial of equal access to healthcare.

  • Article 21 (Right to Life): The right to health is an integral component of Article 21, as recognized in Consumer Education and Research Centre v. Union of India (1995) and Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West Bengal (1996).

  • Article 47 (Directive Principles): Imposes a duty on the State to raise the level of nutrition and public health.

Statutory references include:

  • Indian Contract Act, 1872 – Violation of lease terms can amount to breach of contract.

  • Transfer of Property Act, 1882 – Governs leasehold obligations, allowing the lessor (Delhi government) to enforce compliance or deny renewal.

Judicial precedents reinforce that land allotted at concessional rates for public purposes cannot be misused for profit. The Supreme Court’s judgment in Akhil Bharat Goseva Sangh v. State of Andhra Pradesh (2006) emphasized that when land is granted for public welfare, non-compliance with conditions warrants revocation or remedial action.

Judicial Precedents Supporting Accountability

Several landmark judgments uphold the principle that institutions granted public resources must fulfill their social commitments:

  1. Common Cause v. Union of India (1996) – Public resources must be used for the benefit of society and not for private enrichment.

  2. M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (2004) – The Court reaffirmed the State’s responsibility to ensure that public welfare obligations tied to land allotments are met.

  3. Asha v. Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences (2012) – Recognized healthcare as a facet of the right to life, mandating equitable access to medical services.

Conclusion: Healthcare Accountability at Crossroads

The Apollo Hospital lease case raises crucial questions about corporate accountability, public trust, and the ethical use of public land.
As the matter progresses, the Supreme Court’s decision will not only determine Apollo’s compliance but may also set a precedent for private hospitals operating on public land across India.

The outcome could reshape how India enforces social obligations in healthcare, balancing private profit with public duty under constitutional morality.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts

Father of RG Kar Victim Loses Faith in Legal System Amid Allegations of CBI Inconsistencies

Image
  A Father’s Frustration with the System The father of the 31-year-old postgraduate doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9, 2024, has publicly expressed his deep disillusionment with the Indian legal system. In a powerful and emotional statement, he told ANI that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has presented contradictory reports in two different courts—the Calcutta High Court and Sealdah District Court. “This is not just a failure of investigation—this is a betrayal. Even Supreme Court judges could not believe the differences in what the CBI is saying. We had faith in the agency, but now, we are losing all hope,” he stated. Allegations of Withheld Evidence The father alleged that the CBI is deliberately withholding key details about the case, despite reportedly knowing who the perpetrators are. He believes the answers lie in his daughter’s phone, which the CBI claims it does not possess—an assertion he disputes. According t...
Read more

Bill Gates Applauds India's 'Namo Drone Didi' Program: A Game-Changer in Rural Empowerment and Agri-Tech

Image
Microsoft Founder Bill Gates Lauds India’s Namo Drone Didi Program In a strong endorsement of India’s evolving rural development model, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has praised the Namo Drone Didi initiative, launched in 2023 by the Government of India. The program empowers rural women by training them to operate drones for agricultural purposes, thereby boosting productivity, reducing manual labor, and enhancing socio-economic inclusion. Gates shared a detailed video and blog highlighting his interaction with three "Drone Didis" from Bihar— Sangita Devi , Sumintra Devi , and Kajol Kumari —during his visit to Delhi last month. He applauded the initiative's early success and expressed optimism about its future scalability. What is the Namo Drone Didi Program? Launched under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Namo Drone Didi scheme is part of a broader strategy to promote women-led development and precision agriculture . It aims to provide 15,000 dro...
Read more

Flight Operations Disrupted Amid India-Pakistan Tensions: Air India and IndiGo Cancel Multiple Flights on May 13, 2025

Image
🔹 Flight Cancellations Announced by Air India On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 , Air India officially announced the cancellation of two-way flight operations to and from the following eight airports : Jammu Leh Jodhpur Amritsar Bhuj Jamnagar Chandigarh Rajkot The airline posted a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: "In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May." Air India further assured passengers that they are closely monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates as operations resume in the coming days. 🔹 IndiGo Follows with Six Airport Cancellations Following Air India's decision, IndiGo Airlines also issued a travel advisory cancelling its flight operations for May 13, 2025, at the following six airports : Jammu Amritsar Chandigarh Leh ...
Read more

Your Complete Online Guide to Land Records and Services in Bihar

Image
Introduction: The Shift Towards Digital Land Governance India’s land management system has traditionally relied on manual records maintained at local government offices. While foundational to governance and ownership, this manual system often led to bureaucratic delays, land disputes, and lack of transparency. Recognizing these issues, state governments across India have progressively adopted digital systems to make land-related services accessible, transparent, and efficient. Bihar Bhumi Portal: A Digital Leap in Land Management One of the leading examples of this digital transformation is Bihar’s Bihar Bhumi portal ( https://biharbhumilrc.com/ ), developed and maintained by the Revenue and Land Reforms Department of Bihar . The portal has become a centralized platform providing a wide range of land-related services to citizens, eliminating the need for in-person visits to land offices. Purpose and Vision The key objective behind launching the Bihar Bhumi portal was to empower...
Read more

Equality Before Law

Image
                            Equality Before Law                                                   Introduction The rule of law was firstly introduced by A.V. Dicey in  his book "The Constitution Of England" in which there is rule which only prevails is law in which all are equal. In simple word if any wrong is being done which is not justifiable  by law committed by anyone that may be president, prime minister, or any individual are punishable because there is supremacy of law. Supremacy of law means the government which is power or the people who elected the government all will be treated equally before law.  Article 14 The Indian Constitution 1949, Article 14 guarantees "Equality before law The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the...
Read more

Evolution of Constitution under Article 14 to 18

Image
 Evolution of Constitution under Article 14 to 18 INTRODUCTION The idea of equality referenced under Article 14 to Article 18 upgrades a more extensive idea and a more extensive part of the examination as the subject of equity itself shapes a vital and powerful idea in itself. The idea of fairness overwhelms the exceptionally two significant ideas of equivalent security of law and equity under the steady gaze of the law. Likewise, the idea of uniformity wins in a wide range of establishments and accommodates equivalent freedoms for people with the abrogation of unapproachable and nullification of titles. The idea is a more extensive methodology as it is significant for society to look to each individual with a similar methodology regardless of his sexual orientation, rank, and religion. The law is visually impaired and is equivalent for each individual as it says that balance wins for each individual and each individual has the option to be secured by the law. Evolution  The f...
Read more

Supreme Court Advocates for Childcare and Feeding Rooms in Public Spaces

Image
Supreme Court Advocates for Childcare and Feeding Rooms in Public Spaces The Supreme Court of India has suggested that the Union Government develop a comprehensive policy addressing the construction of feeding rooms and childcare facilities  in public places. This move aims to ensure that nursing mothers and their children can access basic amenities in a dignified and private manner, reinforcing their fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution. SC Encourages Policy Formulation A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna  and Justice N Kotiswar Singh  highlighted the absence of a structured framework to address this pressing issue. The court advised the Centre to propose a policy that could then be implemented across the states, scheduling the next hearing for December 10, 2024.   The apex court emphasized that before issuing formal directions, it was crucial to understand the Centre’s perspective on implementing the petitioner’s demand for childcare and feedi...
Read more

Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Former Bank Manager Accused of Defrauding Woman of ₹13 Crores

Image
Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Former Bank Manager  Accused of Defrauding Woman of ₹13 Crores  The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Varun Vashista , a former bank manager accused of embezzling over ₹13 crores from a customer’s account while working at ICICI Bank's Vikas Puri branch. The bail was approved by Justice Amit Mahajan on November 12, 2024, after considering the evidence and facts of the case.   Details of the Case The allegations against Vashista stem from his role as a branch manager. The complainant and her husband had entrusted him with managing their investments, amounting to ₹13.5 crores, between 2019 and 2023.   The complainant discovered in January 2024 that nearly ₹12 crores had been **siphoned off** from her account. Key allegations include:   - Creation of Fake Fixed Deposits: The accused reportedly created fraudulent fixed deposit accounts in the complainant’s name.   - Misappropriation of Funds: Funds were tr...
Read more

Rights of a Arrested Person in India

Image
One of the basic and important feature of our legal system in benefits goes to arrested person on the principal of presumption of innocence of the accused person until he/she found guilty at the end of trail on legal evidence. Rights include the rights of the accused at the time of arrest, at the time of search and seizure, during the process of trail and the like. In well known case of Meneka Ghandhi v. UOI it was interpreted that the procedure adopted  by the state must be fair, just and reasonable. The certain rights which arrested person need to know are as follows: 1. Right To Silence "it was essentially right to refuse to answer and incriminate oneself in the absence of proper charge. Not initially, the right to refuse to reply to proper charge." the Justice Malimath Committee. The dependent if he so desires can be witness in his trial. His confession in police station is not admissible in court. Only to the magistrate is admissible. The Indian constitution guarantees e...
Read more

Exploring Articles 236 to 238 of the Indian Constitution: A Contemporary Discourse

Image
Exploring Articles 236 to 238 of the Indian Constitution: A Contemporary Discourse Introduction : The Indian Constitution, as the guiding framework of the nation, is a living document that requires periodic review and adaptation to meet the needs of a rapidly changing society. Articles 236 to 238 of the Indian Constitution pertain to the High Courts in the states and Union territories. In this article, we delve into a discussion surrounding these articles, analyzing their relevance in the modern era, and exploring relevant case laws that highlight their significance in contemporary India. Article 236: Interpretation : Article 236 deals with the interpretation of the provisions related to High Courts in Part VI of the Indian Constitution. In the modern era, this article plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the functioning and jurisdiction of the High Courts are correctly understood and implemented. One of the landmark cases that has shaped the interpretation of this article is the case...
Read more