When Care Becomes Crime: The Jacob MathewCase and Its Impact on Medical Practice

November 1, 2025
Dr. Ranjit Immanuel James

The 2005 Supreme Court judgment in Jacob Mathew vs State of Punjab redefined medical negligence law in India. It distinguished civil from criminal liability, setting a higher threshold for criminal prosecution by requiring proof of “gross negligence.” The ruling protects doctors from frivolous cases while upholding patient safety standards through the Bolam test.

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