Home > Journals > Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Submit your article Read this Journals View all journals
Full Text (PDF)
Review Article

Vicarious Liability for Alleged Criminal Negligence by Iatrogenic Fentanyl Overdose

Vivekanshu Verma

Author Information

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.

Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology 11(1):p 40-49, Jan-June 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/jfct.2454.9363.11125.5

How Cite This Article:

Vivekanshu Verma. Vicarious Liability for Alleged Criminal Negligence by Iatrogenic Fentanyl Overdose. J Forensic Chemistry Toxicol. 2025; 11(1): 40–49.

Timeline

Received : January 10, 2025         Accepted : June 13, 2025          Published : June 30, 2025

Abstract

Background: Iatrogenic fentanyl overdose highlights the critical need for meticulous oversight in medication administration. The principle of vicarious liability in healthcare amplifies institutional accountability, particularly in cases alleging criminal negligence resulting in patient deaths. Recent Indian criminal laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), have introduced frameworks that influence these liability considerations. Objective: To analyze the legal and medical aspects of fentanyl poisoning under the lens of vicarious liability, using the reported case as a focal point, and propose preventative measures to mitigate such incidents. Methods: A detailed case analysis was conducted alongside a review of legislative changes and best practices for medication safety. The study integrates statistical trends and judicial outcomes to formulate actionable recommendations. Results: The malpractice lawsuit underscores systemic issues, including delayed care, excessive medication dosages, and procedural lapses. While judicial outcomes favored good faith protections, the case underscores the importance of institutional vigilance. Conclusion: Strengthening institutional protocols, legislative clarity, and professional training are vital to prevent medication-related iatrogenic injuries and to balance accountability with fair treatment in healthcare.

References

  • 1.   Gaur, K.D. Criminal manual: New Criminal Major Laws containing BNS, BNSS & BSA, 2023. Whitesmann. 2nd Ed. 2024.
  • 2.   Sanjeev Narula, J. Shiv Kumar vs. National Medical Commission & Ors., W.P. (C) No. 4828/2021. Date of Judgment: 20.12.2024. Delhi High Court.
  • 3.   R.A. NELSON’s Indian Penal Code, 2020. LexisNexis, 13th Ed. 2023.
  • 4.   Section 3(5) of BNS, 2023.
  • 5.   Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
  • 6.   Shishpal Shishu v. State of NCT of Delhi, 2022 (9) SCC 782.
  • 7.   Jasdeep Singh @ Jassu e. State of Punjab, 2022 (2) SCC 545: 2022 LIVELAW (SC) 19.
  • 8.   Ibid.
  • 9.   Shyamal Ghosh v. State of West Bengal, (2012) 7 SCC 646: AIR 2012 SC 3539: 2012 (3) Crimes 97 (SC): 2012 CriLJ 3825: 2012 (6) SCALE 381.
  • 10.   Suresh Sakharam Nangare v. State of Maharashtra, (2012) 9 SCC 249: 2012 (9) SCALE 245: JT 2012 (9) SC 116: 2012 (4) JCC 2745 (SC).
  • 11.   Jagan Gope and Ors. v. State of West Bengal, MANU/WB/3020/2019.
  • 12.   Manish Sharma v. State (NCT of Delhi), 2019 VIIIAD (Delhi) 100.
  • 13.   Chandrakant Murgyappa Umrani and Ors. v. State of Maharashtra, AIR 1999 SC 1557.
  • 14.   Subran and Ors. v. State of Kerala, (1993) 3 SCC 722: 1993 (3) SCALE 370: (1993) Supp1 SCR 512: JT 1993 (Suppl.) S.C. 597.
  • 15.   Sewa Ram v. State of U.P., (2007) 15 SCC 75: 2007 (14) SCALE 145: 2008 Cri.L.J. 802 (SC): (2008) 39 OCR 472: JT 2008 (1) SC 136.
  • 16.   Doctors in India strike over violent attacks by patients’ families https://www.theguardian. com/world/2019/jun/17/doctors-in-indiastrike-over-violent-attacks-by-patientsfamilies
  • 17.   Sanjeev Narula, J. Shiv Kumar vs. National Medical Commission & Ors., W.P. (C) No.4828/2021. Date of Judgment: 20.12.2024. Delhi High Court.
  • 18.   Prakash, A. Ratanlal & Dhirajlal. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, 28th Ed. LexisNexis. 2025.
  • 19.   S.M.S. Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. Neeta Bhalla [(2005) 8 SCC 89]
  • 20.   Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
  • 21.   K.K. Ahuja V. V.K. Vora [(2009) 10 SCC 48]
  • 22.   Section 106(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
  • 23.   Merriam-Webster Inc.. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law (Kindle Locations 21557- 21558). Merriam-Webster, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
  • 24.   Section 30 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
  • 25.   Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023.
  • 26.   Dr. Laxman Balkrishna Joshi v. Dr. Trimbak Bapu Godbole, AIR 1969 SC 128.
  • 27.   Kanchan, Tanuj. Rapid Review of Toxicology. 1st ed. Jaypee. 2018.
  • 28.   Kulkarni, M.L. Pediatric Toxicology. 1st Ed. Paras Publishers. 2010.
  • 29.   Goldfrank’s Toxicological Emergencies. 12th Edition. McGraw Hills. 2023.
  • 30.   Agarwal, Praveen. Diagnosis & management of Common poisoning. Oxford 1st ed. OUP. 1998.
  • 31.   Singh, Omendra. Principle & Practice of Critical Care Toxicology. 1st ed. Jaypee. 2019.
  • 32.   Grover, J.K. Diagnosis & Management of Poisoning. 1st Ed. Peepee. 2006.
  • 33.   Pillay, V.V. Pocketbook of Poisoning Protocols. 2nd Ed. Jaypee. 2024.
  • 34.   Devarajan, TV. Diagnosis & Treatment of Poisoning & Drug overdose Made Easy. 1st Ed. Jaypee. 2015.
  • 35.   Biswas, G. Recent Advances in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. Vol.2. Jaypee. 2018.
  • 36.   Olson, K. Poisoning & Drug Overdose. 7th Ed. McGrawHills. 2018.
  • 37.   Knight, Bernard. Forensic Pathology. 4th Edition. CRC Press. 2018.
  • 38.   Modi. Medical Jurisprudence & Toxicology. 27th Edition. Lexis Nexis. 2022.

Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.

About this article

Cite this article

Vivekanshu Verma. Vicarious Liability for Alleged Criminal Negligence by Iatrogenic Fentanyl Overdose. J Forensic Chemistry Toxicol. 2025; 11(1): 40–49.

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
January 10, 2025 June 13, 2025 June 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/jfct.2454.9363.11125.5

Keywords

Iatrogenic fentanyl overdoseVicarious liabilityMedical negligenceBharatiya Nyaya SanhitaBNSSBSA 2023Healthcare lawInstitutional accountability

Article Level Metrics

Last Updated

Sunday 18 October 2026, 15:05:05 (IST)

2006

Accesses

10
180
00

Citations


NA
NA
NA

Download citation


Article Keywords

Keyword Highlighting

Highlight selected keywords in the article text.


Timeline

Received January 10, 2025
Accepted June 13, 2025
Published June 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.


Access this article

Reprint Order Form
Buy this Article
Institutional Subscriptions

Share