The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has appointed a woman as the guardian of her husband, who remains in a vegetative state following a severe accident. This decision allows her to access his bank account to cover medical expenses.
Justice GR Swaminathan made this ruling in response to a petition from R. Suganya. She reported that her husband was involved in a serious accident on May 6, 2022, which resulted in severe skull injuries leaving him unable to act independently. With his funds trapped in a State Bank of India account at the Usilampatti branch, the family has struggled to afford his medical care.
In granting Suganya’s request, the court recognized her role in caring for her husband and authorized her to manage his bank account for his welfare and that of the family. However, any sale of immovable property will require court approval through a separate petition.