Live surgery broadcast: SC issues notices to NMC, Centre as petitioners say it's like Kohli batting and commentating simultaneously

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud issued notices to the Centre and others, including the National Medical Commission (NMC), seeking their replies on the petition filed by some Delhi residents.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and the National Medical Commission (NMC) on a PIL seeking a direction for laying down guidelines to regulate live broadcast of surgeries without the informed consent of the patients, which could endager their lives.

A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra initially said the issue may fall in the domain of an experts' body like the Medical Commission but the petitioner said a representation sent on the matter to them remained unaddressed.

The counsel said, at times, the surgeon performing surgeries also advertised products like the stents used on the patients.

On this, the bench asked if the live-stream of such procedures was like watching a live IPL match. Replying, the petitioner's counsel said that such a practice was akin to Virat Kohli both playing and commentating at the same time.

The petitioner said the practice was being regularly undertaken by bodies like the All India Ophthalmological Society and others, posing danger to the lives of patients.

The plea by Rahul Chaudhary contended the practice also raised ethical and legal issues as patients from lower economic strata are made to agree to such a procedure for waiver of the surgery cost in the name of performing the operation by a foreign surgeon.