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Defining Duty in Medicolegal Context: A Literary Review

Vivekanshu Verma, Shri Gopal Kabra

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Indian Journal of Legal Medicine 4(2):p 135-144, July -Dec 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijlm.2348.9987.4224.4

How Cite This Article:

Kabra SG, Verma V. Defining Duty in medicolegal context: A literary Review. Indi J of Legal Medi. 2025;6(2):135-44.

Timeline

Received : April 28, 2025         Accepted : July 10, 2025          Published : December 30, 2025

Abstract

Background: The concept of “duty” in Indian jurisprudence spans constitutional, tort, administrative, and medicolegal contexts. In the medicolegal realm, defining a medical professional’s duty is critical to balancing patient rights and legal accountability. Objective: This literary review synthesizes judicial interpretations of “duty” in Indian medicolegal cases, focusing on negligence, liability standards, and the interplay between civil and criminal obligations. Methods: Analysis of landmark Supreme Court judgments, statutory provisions (e.g., Consumer Protection Act, 1986), and principles like the Bolam Test. Key Findings: 1. Courts define a doctor’s duty as adherence to “accepted medical standards” and “reasonable care” (Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab, 2005). 2. Criminal liability requires “gross negligence” (Dr. Suresh Gupta v. GNCTD, 2004), while civil liability addresses compensation for deficient service (Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha, 1995). 3. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, holds doctors accountable for “deficiency in service”, emphasizing patient rights.

References

  • 1.   The Constitution of India, 1950 (as amended by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976), art. 51A.
  • 2.   Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab, (2005) 6 SCC 1 (India).
  • 3.   Consumer Protection Act, 1986, No. 68, Acts of Parliament, 1986 (India).
  • 4.   Aruna Roy v. Union of India, (2002) 7 SCC 368 (India).
  • 5.   Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab, (2005) 6 SCC 1 (India).
  • 6.   Calcutta Gas Co. (Proprietary) Ltd. v. State of West Bengal, AIR 1962 SC 1044 (India).
  • 8.   AIIMS Students’ Union v. All India Institute ofMedical Sciences, (2001) 6 SCC 714 (India).
  • 9.   Donoghue v. Stevenson, [1932] UKHL 100 (UK).
  • 10.   M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1986) 2 SCC 176 (India).
  • 11.   Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab, (2005) 6 SCC 1 (India).
  • 12.   State of Maharashtra v. Public Concern for Governance Trust, (2007) 3 SCC 587 (India).
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  • 14.   Rameshwar Prasad v. Union of India, (2006) 2 SCC 1 (India).
  • 15.   Government of India v. George Philip, (2006)13 SCC 1 (India).
  • 16.   Bal Patil v. Union of India, (2005) 6 SCC 690 (India).
  • 17.   Shri Anadi Mukta Sadguru Shree Muktajee Vandas Swami Suvarna Jayanti Mahotsav Smarak Trust v. V.R. Rudani, AIR 1989 SC 1607 (India).
  • 18.   Aruna Roy v. Union of India, (2002) 7 SCC 368 (India).
  • 19.   Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab, (2005) 6 SCC 1 (India).
  • 20.   Bolam v. Friern Hospital Management Committee, [1957] 1 WLR 582 (UK).
  • 21.   M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1986) 2 SCC 176 (India).
  • 22.   Calcutta Gas Co. (Proprietary) Ltd. v. State of West Bengal, AIR 1962 SC 1044 (India).
  • 23.   Dr. Suresh Gupta v. Government of NCT of Delhi, (2004) 6 SCC 422 (India).
  • 24.   Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha, (1995) 6 SCC 651 (India).
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  • 27.   Union of India v. Sankalchand Himatlal Sheth, (1977) 4 SCC 193 (India).
  • 28.   State of Rajasthan v. Vidyawati, AIR 1962 SC 933 (India).
  • 29.   Calcutta Gas Co. (Proprietary) Ltd. v. State of West Bengal, AIR 1962 SC 1044 (India).
  • 30.   Commissioner of Income Tax v. S. Teja Singh, AIR 1959 SC 352 (India).
  • 31.   Shri Anadi Mukta Sadguru Shree Muktajee Vandas Swami Suvarna Jayanti Mahotsav Smarak Trust v. V.R. Rudani, AIR 1989 SC 1607 (India).
  • 32.   R. v. Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte Fire Brigades Union, [1995] 2 AC 513 (UK)
  • 33.   Consumer Protection Act, 1986, No. 68, Acts of Parliament, 1986 (India).
  • 34.   Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, (1997) 6 SCC 241 (India).
  • 35.   K. Narasimhiah v. H.C. Singri Gowda, AIR 1966 SC 330 (India).
  • 36.   State of U.P. v. Manbodhan Lal Srivastava, AIR 1957 SC 912 (India).
  • 37.   Union of India v. Anglo Afghan Agencies, AIR 1968 SC 718 (India).
  • 38.   Common Cause v. Union of India, (2018) 5 SCC 1 (India).
  • 39.   District Collector v. M. Laxmi Narasimhan, (1976) 3 SCC 22 (India).
  • 40.   Commissioner of Police v. Gordhandas Bhanji, AIR 1952 SC 16 (India).
  • 41.   Mohinder Singh Gill v. Chief Election Commissioner, (1978) 1 SCC 405 (India).
  • 42.   K. Narasimhiah v. H.C. Singri Gowda, AIR 1966 SC 330 (India).
  • 43.   State of U.P. v. Babu Ram Upadhya, AIR 1961 SC 751 (India).

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Cite this article

Kabra SG, Verma V. Defining Duty in medicolegal context: A literary Review. Indi J of Legal Medi. 2025;6(2):135-44.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Received Accepted Published
April 28, 2025 July 10, 2025 December 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijlm.2348.9987.4224.4

Keywords

Duty of CareMedical NegligenceIndian JurisprudenceBolam Test • Consumer Protection Act (Copra)Gross Negligence • Medicolegal Liability

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Timeline

Received April 28, 2025
Accepted July 10, 2025
Published December 30, 2025

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.



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