The Supreme Court quashed criminal proceedings against anaesthetist Dr. Supriya Kumari in a Kerala medical negligence case, holding that an off-duty doctor cannot face criminal liability for a procedural error allegedly committed by a nurse without proof of gross negligence or recklessness.
The Kerala High Court dismissed the criminal case against Dr. Joseph John, emphasizing that patient deaths do not always indicate medical negligence. The court underscored the necessity of proof of gross negligence for criminal liability, reinforcing that doctors should not be unjustly blamed for outcomes resulting from the nature of the ailments.
