The Allahabad High Court has instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to initiate an inquiry to determine whether doctors employed in state-run medical colleges are engaging in private practice at nursing homes.

This directive came in response to a petition filed by Arvind Gupta, Head of Department (HoD) and professor at Moti Lal Nehru Medical College in Prayagraj.

Gupta was accused by Rupesh Chandra Srivastava, who had filed a complaint with the consumer forum, of providing inadequate treatment at Phoenix Hospital, a private nursing home in Prayagraj.

“The basic question, which needs to be addressed at the outset is as to whether Dr. Arvind Gupta, Head of Department & Professor in Motilal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj can give any treatment to any patient in a private nursing home in the city being in the services of state government & holding the post of HoD & professor in state medical college,” it said.

The court, in its January 2 ruling, also sought clarification from the state’s Principal Secretary for Medical Education & Health regarding Gupta's eligibility to practice at a private nursing home. During the proceedings, the court expressed concern over the involvement of a state-employed professor in private healthcare.

It emphasized the need to determine whether such private practice is permissible for government doctors holding prominent positions at public institutions. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 8.