Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 22-07-2026
Case Overview
- Petition: Suo Moto Writ Petition (Civil) No.19/2026 concerning access to life‑saving medicines and judicial expediency under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- Petitioner: Court’s own motion (no separate petitioner named).
- Respondent: State of Kerala, represented by Advocate‑on‑Record Mr. Aljo K. Joseph.
- Intervenors sought: Drug Action Forum–Karnataka and Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), to be represented by senior counsel Mr. Anand Grover.
- Additional counsel for the respondent: Ms. Priyanka Prakash, Advocate‑on‑Record.
- Related matter: W.P. (Civil) No.18999/2022 pending before the Kerala High Court, involving a deceased patient’s case.
Order Details
1. The Court directed that a notice be issued in the petition, with the notice to be returnable by 24‑08‑2026.
2. Permission was granted to the organisations Drug Action Forum‑Karnataka and Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) to intervene; their formal application for intervention is deemed allowed, and the Registry will implead them as intervenors.
3. The Court requested the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court to ensure that W.P. (Civil) No.18999/2022 is decided expeditiously.
Final Outcome
- A notice will be issued and must be returned by the stipulated date.
- The two health‑focused NGOs are now formally recognised as intervenors in the Supreme Court proceedings.
- The Kerala High Court is instructed to fast‑track the pending high‑court case, aiming for a swift resolution.
Topics: Access to Medicines, Judicial Expediency