Delhi HC Seeks Govt Responses on PIL Alleging Misconduct at Pathological Labs

The Delhi High Court has sought response from the Centre, the Delhi government, and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks action against pathological laboratories for purportedly illegally collecting blood and other samples and issuing false medical reports.

The PIL alleges that while some of these labs lack necessary permissions, many operate solely as collection centers without proper laboratory facilities.

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora has issued notices to the Central government, NABL, the Delhi government’s Department of Health and Family Welfare, the Central Bureau of Investigation, Delhi Police, various pathological laboratories, and their senior officials.

The court has scheduled further hearings on April 30 regarding this matter.

Petitioner Vipul Goel is seeking the court’s intervention to conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action against these pathological labs for allegedly conspiring and unlawfully collecting samples and conducting tests.

Represented by advocate Radhika Goel, the petitioner claims that false medical reports are being issued, resulting in deception of the public, and alleges that these labs have accumulated over Rs 150 crore. The NABL counsel stated that accreditation had been revoked from one of the labs mentioned in the petition last year.

The petition contends that these labs lack necessary permissions and accreditation from relevant authorities. It asserts, “The respondents (labs) have represented and advertised themselves to be accredited by NABL which is a total lie. The respondents have collected more than Rs 150 crore by misleading and cheating the public and have siphoned off the money.”

The petitioner, who claims to have undergone tests at some of these labs, asserts that despite sending numerous emails and complaints to the relevant authorities seeking action, no action has been taken.