This is an archive article published on February 22, 2024
8 years after death of twins born on road, Rajasthan HC orders Rs 4 lakh compensation to parents
Pronouncing the order on Tuesday, a single-judge Bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand said the incident was “a classic example of death of humanity”.
Written by Parul Kulshrestha
Jaipur | Updated: February 23, 2024 02:53 AM IST
3 min read
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Pronouncing the order on Tuesday, a single-judge Bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand said the incident was “a classic example of death of humanity”.
The Rajasthan High Court has ordered the government to pay compensation of Rs 4 lakh to a couple who lost their newborn twins in 2016, after the woman gave birth on a road because the Community Health Center (CHC) in Alwar district’s Khedli refused to admit her.
Pronouncing the order on Tuesday, a single-judge Bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand said the incident was “a classic example of death of humanity”.
On April 7, 2016, Phoolmati, wife of Avdhesh, was working at a brick kiln when she started getting labour pains. She was subsequently rushed to the CHC, where the staff asked if she was carrying the Mamta Card, under which women giving birth can claim financial assistance. She, however, was not carrying the card, and was denied treatment at the CHC.
With her pain increasing, Phoolmati and her husband began walking to a nearby bus stop. The pain continued to get worse, and eventually, she gave birth on the road.
The newborn twins were then taken to the CHC, from where they were referred to the Mahila Zanana Hospital in Bharatpur due to their critical condition. One child died on the way to the hospital and the other died at the hospital.
Listing the different schemes available for the welfare of pregnant women and newborns, the High Court said in its order, “Despite that (the existence of various schemes), the respondents have miserably failed to discharge their duties in providing the benefits of these schemes to the petitioner and her newly born infants. On account of gross and unwarranted act of the officials of the respondents, the petitioner has been made to suffer and she has lost her two newly born babies.”
The schemes listed by the court were Janani Suraksha Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandhana Yojna, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, and Indira Gandhi Matritva Poshan Yojna.
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The respondents included the Centre and the state government. They were asked to pay compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the couple by way of depositing the same in a fixed deposit, and giving the quarterly interest accrued to them.
The Centre and the state were also ordered to constitute a joint high-powered committee to rectify the shortcomings in the schemes highlighted by the court, including proper advertisements of the schemes, increasing the cash amount given, and taking effective steps for the amount to reach the beneficiaries.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
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