Kerala High Court Grants Time To State To Finalise Comprehensive Guidelines On Dealing With Snakebites

The division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen, were hearing a petition on the issue of basic health care in relation to snake bites, which arose after an incident involving snake bite to a student in 2019.

The Government pleader submitted a series of development pursuant to earlier directions of the Court. The Government pleader informed the Court that the General education Department and Health Department has submitted their draft guidelines.

Other key departments—including the Forest Department, Local Self Government Department, Institute of Virology, and the NHM—are expected to provide their suggestions shortly. These collective recommendations will then be consolidated and presented to the Chief Secretary for final approval.

The Court also directed all parties involved, including the counsel for the petitioners, amicus curiae, and counsel for the respondents, to submit their written suggestions to the Advocate General's office. These will then be forwarded to the Chief Secretary, who will take them into consideration along with the interim directions issued by the Court for the drafting the final guidelines for snakebite.

Notably, the Government Pleader also presented statistical data on snakebite-related fatalities over the past decade, indicating a decline in deaths. This data is expected to inform the final drafting of the guidelines.

The Court has granted time for the State to hold a meeting and finalise guidelines.

The matter is listed after four weeks. 

Case Title - Kulathoor Jaisingh v State of Kerala and Ors

Case NO - WP(C) 32493/2019 

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