The Jharkhand High Court has issued a stern 72-hour deadline to the Ranchi district administration and city police, demanding the immediate removal of all illegal encroachments surrounding the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
Court's Stern Warning to Authorities
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar delivered the order on Wednesday. The bench explicitly cautioned the state government that non-compliance with this directive would be treated as contempt of the high court. This decisive action came during a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Jyoti Sharma.
The PIL highlighted the critical situation at the premier autonomous hospital. Sharma pointed out that the main entrance and access roads to RIMS are severely choked by encroachments, creating major obstacles for patients, especially those needing urgent care at the emergency centre.
Systemic Issues Crippling Hospital Services
Beyond the encroachment problem, the petition brought to light deep-rooted systemic failures plaguing the institute. Jyoti Sharma cited a severe shortage of staff across multiple wings, including the main hospital, dental college, nursing college, and paramedic wing. Numerous posts remain vacant, crippling the delivery of essential medical services.
Furthermore, the petitioner raised concerns about the lack of a mechanism to monitor the private practice of doctors associated with RIMS. This unchecked practice potentially diverts attention and resources away from the institute's primary healthcare duties.
Ongoing Judicial Oversight and Next Steps
The court had previously taken serious note of the anomalies at RIMS. In a proactive step, it appointed former high court judge Amareshwar Sahay to convene a meeting of the hospital's governing body. The minutes from this crucial meeting have already been submitted to the high court for review.
The case has been scheduled for its next hearing on December 11. All eyes will now be on the district administration to see if they can execute the massive encroachment removal drive within the tight three-day window set by the judiciary.
