States must give test results to patient: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday termed the Maharashtra government’s decision not to provide a copy of Covid-19 test result to the patient or his/her relative “illogical” and directed other states not to follow the same example.


A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M R Shah said it was strange on the part of the Maharashtra government to deny a copy of the test report to a patient if it showed that he/she was found positive. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta said, “There is no logic behind this decision. If one undergoes a test, he/she has a right to know the result of the test. When a report of the patient is positive, the same shall be given to the patient or his relatives.”

Taking steps to stop other states from emulating Maharashtra’s example, the bench said, “We have no doubt that states and all concerned shall supply a copy of the report of the patient to him or his relatives and the hospital.” The SC ordered that a copy of the application, which pointed out Maharashtra’s decision, be given to the SG and the counsel for the state.