Issue guidelines on duties, responsibilities of govt. doctors acting as witnesses: HC

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The medical professionals appearing as expert witnesses must exercise a high degree of care, said the court. | Photo Credit: R. Ashok

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) directed the Health Secretary and the Director of Medical Education and Research to issue a circular/ guidelines comprehensively dealing with duties and responsibilities of government medical professionals while acting as expert witnesses before courts.

Justice B. Pugalendhi said an expert witness occupied a position of trust. The privilege of assisting the court carried with it a corresponding responsibility to provide objective, accurate and consistent testimony. Even an inadvertent lapse by the medical expert while testifying created confusion, prolonged judicial proceedings and affected the rights of either the victim or the accused.

Therefore, the medical professionals appearing before courts as expert witnesses must exercise a high degree of care while giving evidence. Equally important was the duty to carefully read and verify the deposition before affixing their signature, the court said.

Medical professionals must recognise that their professional responsibilities did not end with treating patients or performing medical procedures. The duty to assist the court was an integral part of their professional obligations.