Civil Law – Article 227 – Rejection / Striking off of Plaint – Availability of Remedy under Order VII Rule 11 CPC – High Court erred in exercising supervisory jurisdiction to strike off plaint despite existence of specific statutory remedy – Held: Availability of remedy under CPC constitutes a near-total bar to invocation of Article 227 – Impugned order set aside and suit restored [Paras 2, 5–11].

Constitution of India – Article 227 – Scope and Nature of Supervisory Jurisdiction – Powers are supervisory and not appellate – To be exercised sparingly and only to keep subordinate courts within bounds of jurisdiction – Cannot be invoked to correct mere errors or to bypass statutory remedies – High Court cannot act as a court of appeal in disguise [Paras 5, 5.1–5.7].

Civil Procedure Code, 1908 – Order VII Rule 11 – Rejection of Plaint – Statutory remedy for challenging maintainability of suit – Grounds for rejection often involve factual inquiry – Where such specific remedy is available under CPC, High Court must insist upon recourse to the same and desist from exercising powers under Article 227 [Paras 6.2–6.2.3, 7.4].

Article 227 vs Statutory Remedies – Availability of Alternative Remedy – In cases governed by CPC, existence of appellate or revisional remedy operates as a near-total bar against invoking Article 227 – Distinguished between civil court proceedings under CPC and proceedings under special statutes – High Court ought not to entertain petitions under Article 227 when CPC remedies exist [Paras 5.6–5.7, 7.1–7.4].

Order VI Rule 16 CPC – Striking Out Pleadings – Scope Limited to Portions of Pleadings – Cannot be stretched to justify striking off entire plaint – Rejection of plaint and striking out pleadings operate in distinct legal fields – Reliance on Order VI Rule 16 to strike off plaint under Article 227 held misconceived [Paras 6.1–6.4.1].

Property Disputes – Title Disputes – Allegations of Fraud – Such issues necessarily involve disputed questions of fact – Must be adjudicated through trial and evidence – High Courts should refrain from exercising supervisory jurisdiction in routine civil disputes involving factual controversies [Paras 6.3–6.3.2].

Judicial Discipline – Legislative Intent – When legislature provides a specific remedial mechanism, courts must respect the statutory scheme – Supervisory jurisdiction cannot be used to supplant or circumvent remedies expressly provided under CPC [Paras 8–9].

Final Relief – Appeal Allowed – High Court’s order striking off plaint under Article 227 set aside – Original suit restored to file – Liberty granted to defendants to file application under Order VII Rule 11 CPC – No order as to costs [Paras 10–11].

Bail – Interim Bail – Economic Offences – Liquor Scam – Former Excise Minister of Chhattisgarh arrested in ACB and ED cases alleging receipt of ₹2 crores per month from illegal liquor syndicate and framing of tailor-made excise policy – Multiple FIRs and ECIR based on same set of allegations – Seven chargesheets/prosecution complaints filed against 37 accused including the petitioner – Large-scale scam involving entire State and other parts of the country – Proposed examination of 864 witnesses – Investigation still ongoing with possibility of supplementary chargesheets – Prolonged custody since 15.01.2025 (ED case) and 02.04.2025 (ACB case) – Balancing prosecution’s right to complete complex investigation and accused’s right to liberty under Article 21 – Held: Indefinite incarceration not justified at interim stage – Interim bail granted with stringent conditions [Paras 1–11].

Bail Jurisprudence – Right to Liberty – Article 21 – Complex and Multi-Agency Investigation – Court observed that directing time-bound completion of investigation in complex cases involving specialised agencies may adversely impact prosecution – At the same time, continued incarceration for an uncertain duration infringes personal liberty – Interim arrangement warranted on peculiar facts of the case [Paras 8–10].

Conditions of Bail – Restrictive Conditions – Non-entry into State – Travel Restrictions – Witness Protection – While granting interim bail, Court imposed strict conditions including prohibition on entering State of Chhattisgarh except for court appearances, surrender of passport, disclosure of place of stay and contact details, non-interference with witnesses, and restraint on public statements concerning pending investigations – Breach of conditions to entail cancellation of bail – Held: Conditions necessary to balance liberty with fair investigation [Paras 10(i)–(x)].

Public Office – Legislative Assembly Participation – Judicial Restraint – Question regarding petitioner’s participation in State Legislative Assembly during pendency of investigation left open – Decision to be taken by Speaker – Court declined to express any opinion on the issue [Para 10(vii)].

Nature of Order – Interim Bail – No Opinion on Merits – Court clarified that grant of interim bail does not amount to expression of opinion on merits of allegations or entitlement to regular bail – Order passed considering peculiar facts and circumstances [Para 10(xi)].

Decision: Special Leave Petitions disposed of – Interim bail granted in FIR No. 04/2024 (ACB/EOW) and ECIR No. RPZO/04/2024 (ED) subject to stringent conditions – Pending applications closed.

Arbitration – Existence of Arbitration Agreement – Allegation of Forgery – Partnership dispute centered on an "Admission Deed" allegedly executed by partners to induct respondent into firm – Appellant denied execution and alleged forgery – Held: Arbitration clause embedded in forged document renders entire contract, including arbitration agreement, seriously disputed – Such a dispute is non-arbitrable as consent is foundational to arbitration – Prima facie doubt on document's authenticity makes arbitral reference impermissible [Paras 12-16, 20].

Arbitrability – Serious Fraud – Legal Position Reiterated – Where serious allegations of fraud affect the existence of arbitration clause itself, such disputes are non-arbitrable – Test: whether the allegation permeates the contract and the arbitration clause, rendering the agreement void – Court must decline arbitral reference if arbitration clause’s very existence is in question [Paras 13-15].

Section 8 and Section 11 Arbitration Act – Concurrent Findings – Trial and Appellate Courts rejected arbitration plea citing non-production of original deed and complex fraud – High Court under Article 227 overturned these findings – Supreme Court held: High Court exceeded jurisdiction – Supervisory power under Article 227 cannot be used to reappreciate evidence or reverse well-founded concurrent factual findings [Paras 21-22].

Finality of Judicial Determination – Section 9 Proceedings – Earlier High Court order declined interim relief citing absence of prima facie arbitration agreement – SLP against it dismissed – Held: Though Section 9 findings are prima facie, once final between parties, they cannot be ignored in later Sections 8/11 analysis [Paras 17-19].

Section 11 – Appointment of Arbitrator – Not Permissible – High Court rightly refused appointment under Section 11 due to unresolved question over arbitration agreement’s existence – Held: Appointment of arbitrator without establishing agreement would be premature and legally untenable [Para 23].

Decision:

Appeal arising from SLP (C) No. 6013 of 2021 (filed by Rajia Begum) dismissed –

Appeal arising from SLP (C) No. 20262 of 2021 (filed by Barnali Mukherjee) allowed –

Order directing arbitration under Section 8 set aside –

Order rejecting appointment under Section 11 affirmed.

Election Law – Panchayat Elections – Bar under Article 243-O – Respondent's nomination for Zila Panchayat election was rejected – Writ Petition dismissed by Single Judge citing constitutional bar and availability of remedy under Section 131H of Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act – Division Bench stayed rejection and directed participation in elections – Held: Article 243-O expressly bars interference in Panchayat elections except by way of election petition – Division Bench acted beyond jurisdiction by interfering with completed electoral process [Paras 8-10].

Judicial Review – Article 226 of Constitution – Limitation – High Court’s plenary jurisdiction under Article 226 is subject to statutory schemes like Panchayat election law – Supreme Court reiterated that where election laws provide for a complete mechanism (such as election petition), writ jurisdiction must be exercised sparingly – High Court erred in granting interim relief bypassing statutory remedy [Paras 9.3-10.3].

Election Process – Rejection of Nomination – Improper Rejection – Respondent claimed wrongful rejection based on non-disclosure of acquittal in prior criminal case – Held: Even such claims fall within purview of election petition under Section 131H(1)(b) of the Panchayati Raj Act – Courts cannot entertain such grievances at pre-election stage [Paras 10.1-10.3].

Due Process – Natural Justice – High Court stayed order of Single Judge without impleading or hearing appellant, who had been declared elected unopposed – Held: Interim directions issued without hearing directly affected party are legally unsustainable [Para 11].

Constitutional Framework – Purpose of Article 243-O – Provision aims to preserve sanctity of electoral process by limiting judicial interference – Remedy lies in election petition after process concludes – Upholding procedural integrity is in public interest [Paras 9-12].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Interim order of High Court set aside – Special appeal before High Court dismissed – Appellant's unopposed election upheld – Supreme Court cautions against judicial interference in electoral processes contrary to constitutional mandate.

Inter-State River Water Dispute – Original Jurisdiction of Supreme Court – Article 131 of Constitution – Pennaiyar River – Suit filed by State of Tamil Nadu alleging illegal unilateral construction of check dams/diversion structures by State of Karnataka without consent of lower riparian State – Reliefs sought included declaration of illegality, injunction against construction, direction to ensure natural flows and action by Union of India – Dispute pending since 2018 [Paras 1–2.7].

Inter-State Agreements – Agreement of 1892 – Effect and Continuance – Plaintiff-State relied on Agreement of 1892 between erstwhile States of Madras and Mysore to contend that prior consent of lower riparian State was mandatory – Defendant-State asserted that Agreement was political in nature and ceased to operate after independence – Controversy left open for adjudication by Tribunal [Paras 2.2, 2.6, 13].

Interim Relief – Refusal by Supreme Court – Application seeking restraint on construction and protection of natural flows dismissed as 75% of work already completed and prima facie permissions obtained – Liberty granted to approach Central Government for constitution of Tribunal under Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 [Para 2.9].

Statutory Negotiation Process – Failure of Amicable Settlement – Complaint lodged under Section 3 of 1956 Act – Negotiation Committee and ministerial-level talks conducted under aegis of Union of India – No consensus reached due to firm stand of Tamil Nadu seeking adjudication by Tribunal – Negotiations ultimately postponed indefinitely [Paras 2.10, 4–5, 8].

Constitution of Tribunal – Mandatory Duty of Central Government – Section 4, Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 – Once Central Government forms opinion that dispute cannot be settled by negotiation, constitution of Tribunal becomes obligatory – Word “shall” in Section 4 imposes mandatory duty – Reliance placed on T.N. Cauvery Neerppasana Vilaiporulgal Vivasayigal Nala Urimai Padhugappa Sangam v. Union of India [Paras 9–10].

Direction Issued – Constitution of Water Disputes Tribunal – Supreme Court directed Union of India to issue notification in Official Gazette and constitute Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal within one month – Suit disposed of with all issues and reliefs kept open for consideration by Tribunal [Paras 10–13].

Decision: Suit disposed of – Union of India directed to constitute Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal within one month – All questions left open for adjudication by Tribunal.

Insolvency – Section 7 IBC – Threshold of 100 Allottees – Maintainability – Petition filed by 103 unit allottees for initiating insolvency proceedings against two interlinked corporate debtors – Objection raised that several allottees had settled or taken possession – Held: As per Manish Kumar v. Union of India, threshold must be met at time of filing – Subsequent events including settlements are irrelevant – Petition held maintainable [Paras 7-9, 21].

IBC – Filing Defects – Amendment of Petitioner Details – Petition filed was returned for curing defects – Names of some allottees substituted – Objection raised that this amounted to abuse – Held: Rule 28(3) of NCLT Rules allows amendment before registration – Substitution prior to registration is legally permissible and not abuse of process [Paras 22-24].

Real Estate Insolvency – Joint Petition against Two Companies – Challenge raised to maintainability of single petition against two corporate debtors – Held: Where companies are interconnected, having common directors and overlapping functions in the same real estate project, a joint petition is maintainable – Reliance on Mist Avenue and Edelweiss ARC cases – Agreement between the two entities showed agency relationship and shared responsibility – Argument of independent legal identity rejected [Paras 11-20, 25-27].

Construction Completion – UPSIDA Compliance – Developers claimed project was completed and possession offered – Court found no occupancy certificate issued – UPSIDA stated sublease deeds not executed and dues unpaid – Observer’s report confirmed many floors incomplete, lacking basic amenities – Held: Developers failed to prove project completion or valid possession – Insolvency properly admitted [Paras 19, 28-36].

Bonafide Offer – Payment of ₹15.62 Crores – Appellant offered payment to settle claims of remaining allottees – Offer rejected by NCLAT – Supreme Court held that premise of only 55 unsettled allottees was factually incorrect – Offer rightly rejected [Paras 38].

Decision: All three civil appeals dismissed – NCLT and NCLAT orders upheld – Petition under Section 7 IBC held maintainable – Project construction incomplete – Offer to settle found untenable.

Constitutional Law – Right to Education – Article 21A, Constitution of India, 1950 – Affirmed – The right to education is a fundamental human right and a 'multiplier right' that enables the exercise of other human rights – it forms an integral part of the broader framework of the right to life and human dignity, which cannot be fully realized without meaningful access to education – the quality of education extends beyond textbooks and classrooms to include all conditions enabling effective learning and continuous schooling – inaccessibility of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) measures disrupts attendance, hinders concentration, and breaks the continuity of schooling, thereby violating Article 21A [Paras 17-20, 39, 128, 137, 172(a), 172(f)].

Constitutional Law – Right to Equality – Article 14, Constitution of India, 1950 – Affirmed – The substantive approach to equality under Article 14 demands that treatment be accorded with due regard to individual, institutional, systemic, and contextual barriers that impede the translation of rights in reality – the State, as a benefactor, is under a positive obligation to remedy such structural disadvantages – lack of menstrual hygiene management measures acts as a significant barrier to girls' participation in school and impedes equality of opportunity, perpetuating systemic exclusion and discrimination – differential treatment is constitutionally permissible when directed towards securing equal outcomes for the disadvantaged [Paras 41-47, 53-58, 99-102, 115-117, 126, 172(b), 172(e)].

Constitutional Law – Right to Dignity and Privacy – Article 21, Constitution of India, 1950 – Affirmed – The right to life under Article 21 encompasses the right to live with dignity, which is an essential and inseparable facet of human existence – dignity finds expression in conditions that enable individuals to live without humiliation, exclusion, or avoidable suffering – privacy is inextricably linked with dignity and secures the autonomy of human beings, enabling choices in intimate and personal matters – the inaccessibility of menstrual hygiene management measures undermines the dignity and bodily autonomy of a girl child, compelling unsafe practices or absenteeism – the State has a positive obligation to protect individual dignity and privacy [Paras 69-75, 77-83, 172(c)].

Constitutional Law – Right to Health – Article 21, 47, Constitution of India, 1950 – Affirmed – The right to life under Article 21 includes the right to health, which extends to the right to menstrual health – access to safe, effective, and affordable menstrual hygiene management measures helps a girl child attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health – Article 47 imposes a primary duty on the State to improve public health, which includes ensuring the availability of and enhancing access to MHM products – lack of MHM measures violates reproductive health and impedes the physical well-being and overall development of menstruating girl children [Paras 84-85, 91-94, 98, 172(d)].

Education Law – Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 – Sections 3, 19 – Interpreted – Section 3 of the RTE Act, guaranteeing free and compulsory education, implies the removal of all financial barriers, including expenses related to menstrual hygiene products, which, if not provided, convert a guaranteed right into a conditional one – Section 19 mandates that all schools, whether government-run or privately managed, must adhere to prescribed norms and standards, including "barrier-free access" and "separate toilets for boys and girls" – "barrier-free access" is interpreted substantively to include the provision of sanitary napkins, safe disposal mechanisms, and awareness programs, as their absence constitutes a constitutional failure and impedes effective education – the State cannot plead absence of funds as a justification for non-compliance with these mandatory norms and standards [Paras 134, 138-146, 147-153, 159-163, 172(f), 172(g)].

Social Justice – Menstrual Hygiene Management – Mandatory Implementation – Directed – Menstrual hygiene management is a shared responsibility, not solely a woman's issue, requiring education and sensitization for boys, parents, and male teachers to break stigma and foster an empathetic environment – the Court issued a continuing mandamus directing all States and Union Territories to ensure functional, gender-segregated, accessible toilets with water and hand-washing facilities in all schools – provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins (ASTM D-6954 standards) readily accessible through vending machines or designated authorities – establish MHM corners with essential supplies – ensure safe, hygienic, and environmentally compliant disposal mechanisms for sanitary waste – incorporate gender-responsive curricula on menstruation and related health concerns by NCERT/SCERT – adequately train and sensitize all teachers on menstrual hygiene – widely disseminate information on sanitary napkin availability and child helplines – District Education Officers (DEOs) must conduct annual periodic inspections, obtain anonymous student feedback, and ensure compliance, with NCPCR/SCPCR overseeing implementation [Paras 164-171, 173-176, 178-179].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Directions issued for mandatory implementation of menstrual hygiene management measures in all schools across India, with a continuing mandamus to the Union for compliance reporting – Paras [173-182].

Service Law – Regularization – Contractual Employees – Sanctioned Posts – Article 14 – Appellants appointed in 2012 as Junior Engineers (Agriculture) against sanctioned vacant posts through a duly advertised selection process – Engagement labelled as contractual with yearly renewals – Services continued uninterrupted for more than a decade with satisfactory performance – Respondent-State declined further extension in 2023 and refused regularization – High Court dismissed writ petitions and LPAs relying mechanically on contractual terms – Held: Prolonged contractual engagement on sanctioned posts followed by abrupt discontinuance is manifestly arbitrary and violative of Article 14 – State not justified in perpetuating ad-hocism under contractual nomenclature [Paras 9–14].

State as Model Employer – Constitutional Obligation – Fairness and Dignity in Public Employment – State bears heightened duty of fairness, probity and candour – Cannot exploit unequal bargaining power of employees – Mechanical reliance on contractual clauses ignoring constitutional mandate deprecated – High Court erred in reducing dispute to mere acceptance of contract divorced from constitutional context [Paras 11–11.2].

Constitutional Law – Waiver of Fundamental Rights – Contractual Terms – Acceptance of contractual stipulations barring regularization does not amount to waiver of fundamental rights – Fundamental rights under Article 14 incapable of waiver – Contractual clauses cannot immunize arbitrary State action from constitutional scrutiny – Reliance placed on Basheshar Nath and Central Inland Water Transport Corporation [Paras 11.3–12.3].

Contract Law – Unconscionable Contracts – Unequal Bargaining Power – “Lion and Lamb” Analogy – Contracts between State and employees marked by structural inequality – Employees compelled to accept standard form contracts to secure livelihood – Courts duty-bound to strike down unfair and unreasonable clauses – State cannot take advantage of dominant position to deny constitutional protections [Paras 12–12.3].

Legitimate Expectation – Long Continuous Service – Due Selection Process – Repeated extensions over a decade created legitimate expectation of recognition of service – Doctrine applicable where engagement followed a lawful selection process – Umadevi not an absolute bar where appointments are not illegal but at best irregular – Legitimate expectation operates to check arbitrariness in State action [Paras 13–13.1].

Service Jurisprudence – Limits on Perpetual Contractual Engagements – Practice of engaging employees on contractual basis for years deprecated – State cannot discard long-serving employees without cogent reasons or speaking order – Abrupt discontinuance after exploiting service during prime years held arbitrary – Reliance placed on Jaggo, Shripal, Vinod Kumar and Dharam Singh [Paras 13.2–13.10].

Article 136 – Interference with Concurrent Findings – Grave Injustice – Supreme Court may interfere with concurrent findings where non-interference results in substantial injustice – Mechanical application of precedents by High Court warranted correction – Exceptional circumstances made out for exercise of jurisdiction under Article 136 [Paras 9–9.3].

Relief – Regularization Directed – Judgments of Single Judge and Division Bench set aside – Respondent-State directed to forthwith regularize services of appellants against sanctioned posts – Appellants entitled to all consequential service benefits from date of judgment [Paras 14–16].

Decision: Appeals allowed – Writ petitions allowed – Impugned High Court judgments set aside – Regularization directed with consequential benefits.

Public Interest Litigation – Maintainability – Stem Cell Therapy for ASD – Maintainable – The Supreme Court held the writ petition to be maintainable as it raised an issue of public importance concerning the regulatory framework for stem cell therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), despite contentions regarding commercial interests – The petitioners were found to be bona fide, and no personal grievance was sought to be addressed [Paras 50-52].

Medical Negligence – Standard of Care – Stem Cell Therapy for ASD – Not Permissible as Routine Treatment – Medical practitioners owe a duty to exercise a reasonable degree of care, skill, and knowledge—Administering interventions lacking credible scientific evidence of safety and efficacy, or expressly advised against by authoritative medical bodies, fails to meet this standard—Stem cell therapy for ASD is not recognized as a "sound and relevant medical practice" based on current scientific knowledge and should not be offered as a standard or routine clinical service outside approved research/clinical trials [Paras 58, 63, 64, 70, 73, 75, 90, 151(ii), 151(vi)].

Medical Ethics – Professional Misconduct – Stem Cell Therapy for ASD – Constitutes Misconduct – The Ethics & Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) recommendations (06.12.2022), approved by the NMC (28.03.2024), unequivocally state that the use, promotion, and advertisement of stem cell therapy for ASD constitute 'professional misconduct' due to the lack of adequate evidence—Medical practitioners indulging in such practices are liable for disciplinary action under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 / National Medical Commission Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023 [Paras 26, 28, 67, 68, 70, 74, 140, 145, 151(iii), 151(vi), 151(xiii)].

Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 – Definition of "Drug" – Stem Cells – Included – Autologous stem cells, even if not classified as "stem-cell derived products" under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019 due to minimal manipulation, fall within the broader definition of "drugs" as 'substances' intended for treatment under Section 3(b)(i) of the Drugs Act, 1940—This ensures that protections under the Act are available for such therapies [Paras 103, 109, 151(i), 151(ix)].

Patient Rights – Informed Consent – Unproven Treatments – Invalid Consent – Patient autonomy allows choosing or refusing offered treatments but does not confer a right to demand unproven treatments—Valid consent requires "adequate information" about the treatment's nature, purpose, benefits, risks, and alternatives—For stem cell therapy in ASD, where scientific evidence is absent or inconclusive, adequate information cannot be provided, rendering consent invalid and leading to "therapeutic misconception," which is a gross violation of medical ethics [Paras 91, 94, 95, 96, 128, 130, 151(vii)].

Regulatory Framework – Stem Cell Research/Clinical Trials – Mandatory Clinical Trial Setting – Therapeutic use of stem cells for ASD is permissible only within an approved and monitored research/clinical trial setting—"Stem-cell derived products" (substantial manipulation) are regulated as "new drugs" under NDCT Rules, 2019—Stem cells with minimal manipulation are governed by "biomedical and health research" framework under Chapter IV of NDCT Rules, 2019, with Rules 15 and 16(4) making National Ethical Guidelines binding, which mandate that all stem cell research (except for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for haematological disorders) must be undertaken as a clinical trial [Paras 113-119, 151(x)].

Statutory Interpretation – Executive Orders vs. Statutory Rules – DHR's Regulatory Role – Executive Order Non Est – Clause 2(vi) of the Order dated 03.03.2024, dissolving the National Apex Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy (NAC-SCRT) and stating "no regulatory role is anticipated to be carried out by DHR related to stem cell research," is in conflict with Rules 17 and 18 of the NDCT Rules, 2019, which mandate DHR oversight on Ethics Committees (ECs) for biomedical and health research—Executive instructions cannot supplant statutory rules; therefore, Clause 2(vi) of the Order dated 03.03.2024 is non est—The Department of Health Research (DHR) or its appointed authority must continue to monitor ECs reviewing clinical trials for stem cells [Paras 133-138, 151(xi), 151(xii)].

Commercial Practices – Stem Cell Banking and Processing – Regulation – Commercial banking of only Umbilical Cord Blood stem cells is permitted with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) licenses—Commercial banking of all other biological materials is prohibited until further notification—Any entity processing stem cells, even partially, must obtain necessary prior approvals for biomedical and health research or clinical trials [Para 147].

Legislative Reform – Regulatory Vacuum – Consolidation of Framework – The current fragmented legal framework for stem cell research leads to ambiguity and exploitation of patients—The Union, specifically the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), is urged to consolidate rules, regulations, and guidelines, clearly define stem cells, establish specific clinical trial procedures, ensure patient safety and compensation, provide timelines for approvals, and create a dedicated monitoring authority (suggesting reconstitution of NAC-SCRT) [Paras 148-150, 152].

Transitional Arrangement – Ongoing Treatments – Continuity Permitted – Patients already undergoing stem cell therapy for ASD are permitted to continue their treatment to avoid detrimental effects from abrupt cessation—The Secretary, MoHFW, in consultation with officials of AIIMS and the National Medical Council (NMC), is directed to provide the best possible solution within four weeks to ensure these patients can continue receiving therapy until re-routed to institutions conducting approved clinical trials [Paras 153-154].

Decision: Matter treated as part heard – Specific directions issued for regulatory clarity, patient safety, and continuation of ongoing treatments under a transitional arrangement – Secretary, MoHFW, to file submissions within four weeks [Paras 153-155].