Introduction:

In a significant directive, the Orissa High Court addressed the issue of illegible handwriting in medical documents, directing the Chief Secretary of Odisha to mandate doctors to write prescriptions, post-mortem reports, and medico-legal documents in either capital letters or legible handwriting. This order stemmed from the difficulties faced by judicial officers in comprehending doctors’ unclear handwriting.

Arguments:

The case arose from a petition by Rasananda Bhoi, seeking compensation for the death of his son due to a snakebite. The court previously directed a doctor, who conducted the post-mortem examination, to offer an opinion virtually. However, the opinion’s illegible handwriting led to confusion, prompting the court’s directive to address this issue.

Court’s Directive:

Expressing dissatisfaction with the prevalent practice of indecipherable handwriting among doctors, the Court mandated the Chief Secretary to issue a circular to medical centers, private clinics, hospitals, and medical colleges, emphasizing the necessity of clear handwriting or typed documents in medical reports and prescriptions.

While acknowledging the doctors’ busy schedules and their contributions during the pandemic, the Court highlighted the necessity for clarity in medical documentation, ensuring the judicial system’s efficiency in analyzing evidence. It directed doctors dealing with medico-legal issues to adopt better handwriting practices for the sake of judicial comprehension.