Horrendous situation at Delhi hospitals: Indian Supreme Court

India's Supreme Court today described the state of affairs at the hospitals in Delhi as "horrendous" regarding treatment of patients and handling of bodies of those dying of Covid-19.

The Indian apex court bench of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice SK Kaul and Justice MR Shah made the observation as it sought responses from the federal government and different states on the issue after taking suo moto cognisance of the treatment being meted out to the Covid-19 patients and the handling of bodies of the deceased.

"The situation in Delhi is horrendous, horrific and pathetic," the bench said during the hearing.

The bench said hospitals are not giving due care to keeping of the bodies, with the bodies being found stacked next to Covid-19 patients.

The hospitals are also not informing family members about deaths of the patients, and as a result they are unable to attend the last rites, the bench observed.

It also issued notices to the Indian government and authorities in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

It said that the guidelines of federal government are not being followed, and directed the chief secretaries of the three states to submit status report on hospital staff, patient care and management system.

Earlier yesterday, the Indian top court had taken suo moto cognisance of media reports on improper handling of Covid-19 patients and undignified disposal of the victims' bodies in the country.

Chief Justice of India SA Bobde had taken note of the situation relating to the handling of coronavirus patients and bodies of the victims.