Order to the government to prepare the scheme by March 14
The court said, according to the definition, the hour after injury in an accident is the most important
New Delhi,In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has asked the central government to prepare a scheme for cashless medical treatment during the 'golden hour' of road accident victims. The court ordered the government to prepare the policy by March 14. Due to this, the lives of many people can be saved by the necessary medical treatment of the accident victims at a critical time. Under Section 2(12-A) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the definition of golden hour has been shown. It includes the treatment given to the victim within one hour to prevent death in the crucial one hour after the accident.
Supreme Court Justices Abhay Oka and Augustine George Masih said, “We direct the Central Government to prepare a plan under Section 162(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act by March 14, 2025. No further term shall be granted therein.” The Supreme Court ordered the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to submit a copy of the plan along with an affidavit before March 21. The court said, “According to the definition, one hour after injury in an accident is the most important.
In many cases, if medical treatment is not provided during this 'golden hour', the injured person may lose his life. Section 162 is important in the present situation due to the ever increasing number of vehicular accidents.” Judge Oka, who wrote the judgement, stressed the importance of prompt treatment at critical times. He said, often due to financial difficulties or procedural hurdles, accident victims lose their lives. The Supreme Court has asked the Center to prepare a scheme for cashless treatment under Article 162 and give protection under Article 21 of the Constitution. According to the judgment, “When a person is injured in a motor vehicle accident, family members are not with him. However, he needs to get medical treatment in the 'golden hour'. Although every life is precious, for many reasons a person does not get treatment during this critical period.”ss1