The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday formally disposed of a petition filed by Balwant Singh Rajoana, who had sought judicial authorization to undergo specialized eye treatment and surgery at a private medical facility in Patiala. Hearing the matter, Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi directed that Rajoana's eye care must instead be conducted at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.
Rajoana had moved the High Court requesting permission to seek treatment from private doctors at a facility in Patiala for his ophthalmic condition. The single-judge bench took up the matter to determine whether a transfer to a private healthcare facility was warranted under the circumstances presented in the petition.
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During the course of the hearing, the Government of India presented its official stance before the court, opposing the petition's prayer for private hospital care. The central government submitted that Rajoana was already under active treatment for the exact same eye condition at PGIMER Chandigarh. To support this submission, the government pointed out that he had already visited the Chandigarh institution for medical evaluation and treatment earlier in the year, specifically in January.
After reviewing the central government's submissions regarding the continuity of care at PGIMER Chandigarh, Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi observed that adequate and specialized clinical facilities were already engaged in managing Rajoana's health. The High Court determined that no further orders were necessary regarding a move to a private hospital, thereby disposing of the petition with directions for treatment to proceed at the government institute.
The disposition of the case places the responsibility for Rajoana's forthcoming eye surgery squarely on the medical teams at PGIMER Chandigarh, concluding his legal request for private care in Patiala and ensuring his treatment remains within the established public healthcare framework.
