Allahabad High Court Orders Judicial Probe into Advocate Jagrati Shukla’s Death Amid Allegations of Medical Negligence
The Allahabad High Court has directed a judicial inquiry into the death of young advocate Jagrati Shukla, whose passing sparked widespread outrage among members of the legal fraternity.
Jagrati had sustained serious injuries in a road accident on May 20 and was initially admitted to SRN Hospital for treatment.
Allegations later emerged that doctors posted in the emergency ward delayed critical medical care and acted negligently, leading to a deterioration in her condition.
She was subsequently shifted to PGI Lucknow for advanced treatment, but despite medical efforts, she could not be saved.
The incident triggered strong protests from lawyers, who demanded accountability and action against those responsible.
While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in connection with the case, the High Court ordered a judicial investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Jagrati’s treatment and death.
A retired High Court judge will conduct the inquiry and submit a detailed report, based on which further action may be taken.
The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Swaroop Kumar Chaturvedi during the hearing of the PIL filed by advocate Omar Jamin.
During the proceedings, the petitioner argued that Jagrati Shukla was seriously injured in a road accident near Indira Gandhi Chauraha on May 20.
Fellow advocates and other individuals rushed her to SRN Hospital for emergency treatment.
According to the allegations presented before the court, a junior doctor on duty in the emergency ward was found asleep when the injured advocate arrived.
It was further claimed that when those accompanying Jagrati attempted to seek immediate medical attention, they were allegedly mistreated, assaulted, and humiliated by hospital staff.
The petitioner further contended that Jagrati’s treatment was delayed by nearly four hours, a lapse that allegedly contributed to the rapid worsening of her condition.
She was later shifted to another medical facility and eventually referred to PGI Lucknow when her health failed to improve. After battling for her life for several days, she passed away on June 8 while undergoing treatment.
The PIL also alleged that although an FIR had been registered against the doctors concerned, the police investigation was not being conducted properly or impartially.
It was on these grounds that the petitioner sought the intervention of the High Court, ultimately leading to the order for a judicial probe.
