Chapter XXVII
Section 357C CrPC: Treatment of victims
New Law Update (2024)
Section 398 BNSS
TRIAL COURT
Punishment
Procedural / Administrative
Cognizable?
Bailable?
Compoundable?
Bare Act Text
All hospitals, public or private, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person, shall immediately provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the victims of any offence covered under section 326A, 376, 376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB or section 376E of the Indian Penal Code, and shall immediately inform the police of such incident.
Important Sub-Sections Explained
Landmark Judgements
Pt. Parmanand Katara v. Union of India (1989):
This landmark Supreme Court judgment established that medical professionals have an ethical and legal obligation to provide immediate medical aid to all injured persons, including accident victims, irrespective of legal formalities. This principle forms the bedrock for the mandatory immediate treatment mandated by Section 357C.
Laxmi v. Union of India (2015):
The Supreme Court issued comprehensive guidelines for the treatment, compensation, and rehabilitation of acid attack victims. This ruling directly reinforces the duty of hospitals to provide free and immediate medical care to victims of offences like those under Section 326A of the IPC, which is explicitly mentioned in Section 357C.
Nipun Saxena v. Union of India (2018):
This case highlighted the critical importance of timely medical examination and treatment for victims of sexual assault. The Supreme Court emphasized that hospitals must not delay treatment awaiting police reports or FIRs, aligning directly with the mandate of Section 357C for immediate medical aid to victims of sexual offences under Section 376 and its sub-sections.