Supreme Court Issues Contempt Notices to 28 States, Warns of Strict Action Over ICU Guidelines Noncompliance

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has taken a strong stance against 28 States and Union Territories for failing to implement its earlier directives on setting nationwide standards for Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Critical Care Units (CCUs).

A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N. Kotiswar Singh criticized the States’ “casual” approach and issued contempt notices, summoning the Additional Chief Secretaries or senior-most health officials to personally appear before the Court on November 20, 2025.

Officials have been instructed to submit personally affirmed show-cause affidavits explaining why action should not be initiated against them for disobeying the Court’s orders. The bench clarified that no excuses, including prior commitments or official meetings, would be entertained for non-appearance.

“We are more pained than shocked by the casualness shown by various States. Despite repeated indulgence by this Court, the orders have been taken very lightly by the officers concerned,” the bench remarked, according to Live Law.

The Supreme Court also directed all States and UTs to submit their pending compliance reports by November 20, warning that any incomplete, perfunctory, or casual submissions would lead to strict action against both the officials and the respective administrations.

“We make it clear that if, by the said date, there is noncompliance, or if compliance is casual or perfunctory, this Court would take a very strict view,” the bench emphasized.