📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Burgess, John William, 1844-1931
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Chhattisgarh High Court rules Durg civic body lacked authority to seal nursing home
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 07 Oct 2026, 05:01 AM
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The Chhattisgarh High Court held that the Durg municipal authority was not empowered to order the closure of a nursing home, overturning the civic body's earlier directive.
The Chhattisgarh High Court on Wednesday clarified that the Durg civic body does not possess statutory power to seal a nursing home. The court examined the municipal corporation's order, which had directed the shutdown of the facility on grounds of alleged non‑compliance with health norms. However, the bench found that the relevant municipal act does not grant such sealing authority, limiting the corporation to inspection and notice issuance.
The judgment emphasized that any punitive action against a healthcare establishment must be pursued through appropriate regulatory channels, such as the state health department or a court order, rather than unilateral municipal orders. The High Court also directed the civic body to withdraw its sealing notice and to adhere to the procedural framework prescribed by law.
Legal experts noted that the ruling underscores the need for clear demarcation of powers between local bodies and state health regulators. The decision may prompt other municipalities in the state to review their enforcement mechanisms to avoid similar jurisdictional challenges.
The nursing home, which had been operating in Durg for several years, remained open pending further compliance checks by the health department. No injuries or fatalities were reported in connection with the dispute.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between local governance and health oversight in rapidly urbanising regions of central India.
The judgment emphasized that any punitive action against a healthcare establishment must be pursued through appropriate regulatory channels, such as the state health department or a court order, rather than unilateral municipal orders. The High Court also directed the civic body to withdraw its sealing notice and to adhere to the procedural framework prescribed by law.
Legal experts noted that the ruling underscores the need for clear demarcation of powers between local bodies and state health regulators. The decision may prompt other municipalities in the state to review their enforcement mechanisms to avoid similar jurisdictional challenges.
The nursing home, which had been operating in Durg for several years, remained open pending further compliance checks by the health department. No injuries or fatalities were reported in connection with the dispute.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between local governance and health oversight in rapidly urbanising regions of central India.