Madras High Court issues rulings on medical compensation and divorce

The Madras High Court has issued two distinct rulings involving compensation for medical procedures and matrimonial disputes.

In a case involving a failed tubectomy, a Division Bench set aside a previous order that had directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay Rs 3 lakh in compensation to a woman who became pregnant after the procedure in 2018. The court ruled that the patient is entitled to Rs 60,000 under the state government’s existing compensation scheme for failed sterilization. The Bench noted that while the government scheme limits the amount, the woman may seek higher compensation through a civil court by proving medical negligence.

In a separate matter, the High Court overturned a family court decision to grant a divorce to a hearing- and speech-impaired man. The court found evidence of cruelty, including instances where the wife had locked the man in a bathroom. The division bench granted the divorce after noting the wife’s own testimony during cross-examination indicated she was not interested in continuing the marriage.