Illegal Path Labs: Bombay High Court Directs Maharashtra Govt to Submit Enforcement Report The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to submit a detailed report on actions taken against illegal pathology laboratories operating across the state, citing concerns over patient safety and regulatory compliance. The court, hearing a criminal public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Digambar Pajgade, asked the state to provide a comprehensive account of enforcement measures and steps taken to address the unauthorized labs. The PIL, filed by Pajgade, alleges that thousands of blood testing laboratories are being operated unlawfully by technicians holding diplomas or certificates in medical laboratory technology (DMLT or CMLT), despite regulations requiring such facilities to be managed by qualified medical professionals, including MBBS doctors and specialists in pathology, microbiology, or biochemistry. The petition highlights the risks to public health posed by this practice, as unqualified personnel may compromise diagnostic accuracy and patient care. During earlier hearings, Suvarna Kharat, joint secretary in the state’s medical education and drugs department, informed the court that the regulation of pathology laboratories falls under the Central Government’s Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010. The state argued that hospitals are governed separately under the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act, and that the oversight of pathology labs is aligned with the central legislation. However, the court expressed skepticism about the clarity of enforcement and directed the state to provide data on inspections, violations identified, and penalties imposed on unauthorized labs.#central_government #bombay_high_court #maharashtra_govt #digambar_pajgade #clinical_establishments_act
