Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has issued notices to senior health officials and Mahavir Jaipuriya Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur, over a petition challenging the reduction of an RGHS beneficiary’s refund from ₹4.05 lakh to ₹1.96 lakh, even though the hospital was found guilty of violating RGHS rules.A single judge bench of Justice Anuroop Singhi issued notices to the state govt and others from the health department and RGHS on a petition filed by Ashfaq Ahmed Naqvi, a retired senior nursing officer of SMS Hospital, through advocate Laxmikant Sharma. Replies have been sought within four weeks.Naqvi’s wife, Suraiya Bano, was admitted on July 14, 2025, for emergency cardiac treatment under RGHS and remained in hospital till July 29. The petition alleged the hospital collected Rs 1,09,728 from July 14 to 19 during RGHS treatment.It said she was shifted to cash category between July 19 and 21, when Rs 1.2 lakh more was collected. After RGHS officials intervened, she was readmitted under RGHS on July 21, but the hospital allegedly collected another Rs 1.73 lakh till July 29 for treatment, CRRT, ICU care and consumables. Suraiya Bano died on July 29, and Rs 51,000 was allegedly collected before her body was handed over, taking the total to Rs 4.05 lakh.Sharma said the RGHS project director, after hearing both sides, held the hospital guilty on Dec 26, 2025, and ordered full refund within 30 days. The hospital appealed before the CEO, RSHAA, which on June 24, 2026, upheld the violation but reduced the refund.“RGHS is a cashless scheme and an empanelled hospital cannot defeat its object by demanding cash for covered or life-saving treatment. Obtaining consent or signatures under alleged pressure during critical treatment cannot legitimise such cash collection,” Sharma argued.The plea sought quashing of the appellate order, full refund and action against the hospital, including possible de-empanelment.
