Lawyers vs doctors: Allahabad HC appoints ex-judge to probe claims that advocate died due to negligence

The Allahabad High Court recently ordered a judicial inquiry to determine whether the death of Advocate Jagrati Shukla was caused by medical negligence at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj [Amit Kumar Singh @ Sonu Singh and another v State of UP and 9 Others].

A Division Bench of Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi requested retired High Court judge, Justice Arun Tandon to also inquire into a scuffle that took place between the doctors and advocates who accompanied Shukla to the hospital after she was injured in a road accident last month.

“We request the Hon'ble Judge that the inquiry may be completed as soon as possible, preferably by 30th September, 2026. The report shall be submitted in a sealed cover,” the Court ordered on June 10. 

Taking note of the complaints of poor medical care at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, the Court said that a legitimate suspicion arose that advocate Shukla may not have received necessary treatment at the institute and that the advocates who asked doctors and other staff to provide her necessary medical treatment were manhandled and assaulted.

However, considering the ongoing conflict between doctors and advocates in Prayagraj over the incident, the Court said that an impartial inquiry was essential in the matter.

“The events as they have evolved since 20.5.2026 developing in rivalry between two professional groups also make us suspect that any investigation by the district administration would be a sham investigation and any report would be a partisan report either in favour of the professionals group which is able to create pressure demonstrating its strength on the streets by its undignified activities which cause discomfort and harassment to the common man or would be in favour of the professional group which indulges in criminal activities denying medical treatment to poor and common man on whose tax-money it butters its bread,” the Bench said.

The incident dates back to the morning of May 20, when Shukla, a practising lawyer at the Allahabad High Court, was seriously injured in an accident while on her way to the Allahabad High Court Cricket Ground for cricket practice. She was immediately taken to Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital by fellow advocates, including several women lawyers.

It has been alleged that the emergency medical officer on duty at the hospital was asleep at the time and refused to attend to the injured advocate. The hospital staff is also alleged to have behaved improperly, leading to a scuffle between lawyers and doctors at the hospital. A criminal case stands registered in the matter on a complaint made by lawyers. 

Shukla died at a Lucknow hospital on June 7. The allegations surrounding her death have since escalated into a conflict between the two professional groups. While advocates have taken to the streets to demand a fair investigation, the doctors at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital have also gone on a strike. 

The Court has now intervened in the matter on a petition moved by the Vice President and the Secretary of the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad.

While ordering a judicial inquiry into the matter, the Court directed the police to inform Justice Tandon about the progress of their investigation.  It also directed that no arrest be made in the case registered by the lawyers for now. 

“We consider that it is not a case where a custodial interrogation would be required in any case. We are also mindful of the fact that the accused are medical professionals,” the Bench said.

Further, the Court directed the police authorities to take legal action against any obstruction to traffic movement in Prayagraj by lawyers. It also ordered the immediate withdrawal of the doctors' strike.

“The dispute may be between two professional groups or two individuals but it cannot be made a cause to deprive the general people and the common man of their right to free movement or for medical aid in Government Hospitals. We are constrained to observe that any action obstructing either free movement of the citizens of the city or any action depriving them of medical aid in the government hospitals is in essence a criminal act,” the Court said.

Additional Advocate General MC Chaturvedi and Chief Standing Counsel Manoj Singh appeared for the State.

[Read Order]