SC Rules Death During Delivery Is Not Proof of Negligence

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition for criminal proceedings against doctors involved in a woman's death during the birth of twin girls at a private hospital in Islamabad. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim ruled that the patient's death during medical treatment alone cannot be considered proof of criminal negligence. The court noted that the doctors had followed medical procedures and obtained the patient's consent before the delivery.

There was no evidence that the doctors had any intention to cause the woman's death or that the anesthesia was administered for any purpose other than medical treatment. The Supreme Court also mentioned that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council had withdrawn its preliminary proceedings regarding medical negligence. The court stated that there was no justification to interfere with the decisions made by the subordinate court and the Islamabad High Court, and thus dismissed the petition seeking criminal proceedings against the doctors.