Telangana HC intervenes after kidney patient found alive in Mahabubabad’s mortuary

The Telangana High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of a disturbing incident in Mahabubabad district where a man suffering from kidney ailments was denied admission at a government hospital for lack of an attendant and Aadhaar card.

Hyderabad: A Division Bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Aparesh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice, and GM Mohiuddin, on Thursday took up a suo motu public interest writ petition arising out of a shocking incident reported from Mahabubabad district, where an ailing man was allegedly shifted to a hospital mortuary while he was still alive.

The PIL was initiated in compliance with the directions of the Chief Justice dated January 7, 2026, based on a letter dated November 1, 2025 addressed by advocate Bathini Komuraiah.

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The letter referred to a news report published in the Eenadu Telugu daily on October 31, 2025. As per the allegations placed before the Court, one V. Ravi, a resident of Jayyaram village in Chinnaguduru mandal of Mahabubabad district, who was suffering from kidney-related and other ailments, approached the Civil Hospital, Mahabubabad, seeking treatment.

Hospital staff allegedly refused to admit him on the ground that he was not accompanied by an attendant and did not possess an Aadhaar card.

It was stated that the man remained in the hospital canteen area for nearly three days, after which he became unconscious. Presuming him to be dead, the hospital staff allegedly shifted him to the mortuary.

On the following day, the sweeping staff noticed signs of movement and immediately alerted the police, after which the Town Police shifted him back for medical treatment.

Terming the incident as a grave violation of human dignity and constitutional rights, the petitioner challenged the denial of emergency and essential medical services to the poor as a breach of trust by medical and district authorities.

The plea further sought directions that medical treatment shall not be denied on the ground of non-availability of attendants or identity documents and prayed for appropriate guidelines to ensure strict enforcement of fundamental rights until suitable legislation is enacted.

The Bench issued notice to the State and directed the filing of a counter affidavit explaining the circumstances that led to the incident. The matter was posted for further consideration.