The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of a Faridabad incident where a woman allegedly delivered a baby in a hospital parking area after finding the gates locked. (File Photo)
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken serious cognisance of an incident at a government facility in Faridabad, where a pregnant woman was allegedly forced to deliver her child in a parking area under torchlight after finding the hospital gates closed.
In an order dated May 25 and uploaded Friday afternoon, the Commission, headed by Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra, highlighted the “glaring pathetic situation” and sought detailed reports from senior health officials by August 12. The order also asked the Civil Surgeon, Faridabad, to “show cause why compensation should not be recommended for the serious violation of human dignity and human rights.”
According to the complaint and media reports placed before the Commission, the woman arrived at the Government Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Sector 3, Ballabhgarh, during the night of May 15-16 while in active labour.
It is alleged that the main gate was locked and no immediate medical assistance was provided, forcing the family to conduct the delivery in an open area. The incident triggered a public outcry after photographs showed her giving birth under mobile phone flashlights.
Justice Batra observed that the allegations, if true, reveal a “disturbing and inhuman” failure of the public healthcare system.
HARYANA — HUMAN RIGHTS
Birth in a parking lot: What happened at Ballabhgarh PHC
A pregnant woman was forced to deliver her child in a parking area under mobile flashlights after finding the gates of a government health centre locked. The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken serious cognisance.
THE INCIDENT
Pregnant woman delivers in parking lot, gates locked
On the night of May 15–16, a woman in active labour arrived at the Government Primary Health Centre (PHC), Sector 3, Ballabhgarh, Faridabad. The main gate was found locked and no immediate medical assistance was provided. The family was forced to conduct the delivery in the open parking area, under mobile phone flashlights.
NIGHT OF MAY 15–16
Woman arrives at PHC Ballabhgarh in active labour. Main gate found locked. No medical staff responds.
SAME NIGHT
Baby delivered in parking area. Photographs of the birth under mobile phone torchlight trigger a public outcry.
POST-INCIDENT
Haryana Health Department initiates high-level probe. Orders 24/7 gate access and permanent ambulance at the centre.
MAY 25, 2025
HHRC issues formal order. Civil Surgeon Faridabad served show-cause notice. Detailed reports from four senior officials sought.
NEXT HEARING — AUG 19, 2025
Reports due by August 12. Commission to consider compensation for violation of human dignity and rights.
CONSTITUTIONAL ANGLE
Article 21: Right to life, dignity and emergency care
The HHRC, headed by Justice Lalit Batra, framed the incident as a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution — which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, including the right to dignity and access to emergency medical care. The Commission described the healthcare failure as "disturbing and inhuman."
⚖
Show-cause to Civil Surgeon
Civil Surgeon, Faridabad, directed to explain why compensation should not be recommended for the serious violation of human dignity.
★
Four officials directed to respond
Addl Chief Secretary (Health), Director General of Health Services, Civil Surgeon Faridabad, and PHC Incharge must submit reports by August 12.
◆
Questions the Commission has raised
Availability of staff during night hours, functionality of emergency entries, and status of obstetric protocols at the facility.
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"Primitive times" — Commission's language
Justice Batra's order stated the circumstances "painfully remind one of primitive times when deliveries were conducted at home in the absence of proper medical facilities."
THE SCHEME
What is Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)?
JSSK is a central government scheme designed to ensure free and cashless delivery for pregnant women at government health facilities. It covers institutional delivery, medicines, diagnostics, diet, and transport — eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for mothers and newborns.
JSSK PROMISES
Free institutional delivery at any government health facility, any time
GROUND REALITY
Gates locked at night. Woman denied care at the hospital's doorstep
THE GAP
State claims full JSSK compliance — Commission disagrees
While Haryana claimed full implementation of the JSSK scheme, the Commission noted the woman was denied institutional care at the very doorstep of a government PHC. The incident exposes a critical gap between policy on paper and night-hour access in practice. Both mother and newborn are now healthy, but the systemic failure remains under judicial scrutiny.
The Commission stated that while the State claims full implementation of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), a scheme meant to ensure free and cashless delivery, the woman was denied institutional care at the hospital’s doorstep.
“The circumstances narrated… painfully remind one of primitive times when deliveries were conducted at home in the absence of proper medical facilities, institutional care, and professional support,” the order noted.
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The Commission emphasised that the case concerns fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, including the right to life, dignity, and emergency medical care. It directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Health), the Director General of Health Services, the Civil Surgeon of Faridabad, and the Incharge of the PHC to submit responses regarding the availability of staff during night hours, the functionality of emergency entries, and the status of obstetric protocols.
Following the incident, the Haryana Health Department, which initiated a high-level probe and overhauled night-access protocols at the facility. Authorities confirmed that both the mother and newborn are healthy following the ordeal.
To prevent further lapses, the state has since ordered that both the OPD and emergency gates remain open round the clock, with an ambulance permanently stationed at the centre for emergency transfers.
Assistant Registrar Dr Puneet Arora stated that considering the gravity of the matter, the Commission directed the authorities to submit detailed reports at least one week prior to the next date of hearing, August 19.
Abhimanyu Hazarika is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Gurgaon. He covers southern Haryana.
Education
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Print Media, Asian College of Journalism (Class of 2020)
- B.A. (Hons) Liberal Arts with a major in Political Science, Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (Class of 2019)
Professional Experience
Before joining The Indian Express, he worked with Bar & Bench (legal journalism) and Frontline magazine, where he developed experience in court reporting, legal analysis, and long-form investigative features.
Reporting Interests
His work centres on civic accountability, environmental policy, urban infrastructure and culture, crime and law enforcement, and their intersections with politics and governance in and around Gurgaon.
Recent Coverage (2025)
- Crime: Reported on the recovery of 350 kg of explosives and an AK-47 from a rented house in Faridabad, linked to the 2025 Red Fort car explosion case (November 11, 2025).
- Environmental policy: Covered protests outside a Haryana minister’s residence against a Supreme Court order that environmentalists argue could allow mining and real estate development on large parts of the Aravalli hills (December 21, 2025).
- Pollution control measures: Co-authored coverage of the Rekha Gupta government’s enforcement of vehicle restrictions at Delhi-NCR borders (December 21, 2025).
- Road safety and infrastructure: Examined response lapses in the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway hit-and-run case and ongoing investigations into high-speed road crimes in Gurugram.
- Animal welfare policy: Reported on concerns regarding the low budget allocated for stray dog sterilization by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (November 30, 2025).
- Urban culture: Featured the social media-driven popularity of a new Magnolia Bakery outlet in Gurugram (December 15, 2025).
Contact
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