Chhattisgarh women deaths: SC refuses to take suo motu cognisance

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today refused to take suo motu cognisance of news reports relating to death of 11 women due to alleged medical negligence in sterilisation surgeries at Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh.

"The Chief Minister has taken up the issue with the Prime Minister. We cannot take it suo motu," a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said, when a lawyer cited a news report and sought judicial intervention in the matter.

"Instead of newspaper, you should have filed a proper petition," the bench, also comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and A K Sikri, said.

Eleven women died and 49 others were hospitalised after an alleged botched sterilisation procedure at a state-run camp in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district, prompting the government to suspend four doctors and transfer the Director of Health Services.