#expert committee

The Kerala High Court has ruled that no criminal complaint for medical negligence can proceed without a preliminary assessment by a constitutionally mandated District Level Expert Committee. This procedural safeguard ensures that allegations are vetted by medical experts before triggering criminal proceedings, protecting healthcare providers from frivolous FIRs while upholding the right to life and health under Article 21. The directive applies to all district medical officers and police authorities across Kerala.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that compensation paid to affected parties and the statutory duty to constitute expert committees under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, negate the need for further judicial intervention. The judgment reinforces that proactive remedial measures by authorities fulfill legal obligations, limiting judicial redress in infrastructure liability cases.