An eight-member committee has been constituted by the Bombay High Court to undertake a social audit of thirty maternity homes run by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) following the death of a pregnant woman and her newborn. The woman was allegedly operated on under a mobile flashlight due to a power outage at the BMC-run Sushma Swaraj Maternity Home in Bhandup.
A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela Gokhale passed the directive while hearing a petition filed by the woman’s husband, Khusruddin Ansari, who alleged medical negligence. The plea raised concerns about the poor state of municipal hospitals.
Of the eight committee members, six were suggested by Ansari’s advocate, Gayatri Singh, and include doctors and professors advocating for better healthcare and women’s rights. The BMC recommended two members — one each from JJ Hospital and Nair Hospital
According to Ansari’s petition, his wife, Shaheedunissa, was admitted to the maternity home on April 29 at 8:20am but was taken to the operation theatre only at 10:30pm. During this period, the hospital suffered multiple power failures and lacked inverters or generators. As a result, doctors allegedly relied on mobile flashlight during surgery. The baby was delivered but did not cry and was declared dead shortly after birth. Shaheedunissa, in critical condition, was transferred to Sion Hospital, where she was declared dead at 1:30am, the following day.
Ansari further alleged that despite repeated requests, the hospital refused to provide his wife’s medical records. His petition noted that under medical ethics regulations, records must be provided within 72 hours. He has sought a thorough investigation by the Bhandup police and compensation for the loss of his wife and child.
Committee members
Dr. Kamaxi Bhate - retired Professor of Community Medicine from KEM Hospital, Mumbai, and a member of the Forum Against Oppression of Women.
Dr. Padmaja - Head of Gynecology at KEM Hospital and a recognized gender expert.
Dr. Reena Vani Cooper - HOD, Professor at Cooper Gynecology Department.
Brinelle D’Souza - Chairperson, Centre for Health and Mental Health, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
Sonya Gill - the Vice-President of Akhil Bharatiya Janwadi Mahila Sanghatana (All India Democratic Women’s Association), a national organization focused on issues such as food security, healthcare access, and violence against women, particularly for marginalized and minority communities.
Sangeeta Rege - health and women’s rights advocate specializing in gender-sensitive healthcare for women and non-binary individuals.
One representative from JJ Hospital
One representative from Nair Hospital.
