Dr Ramcharan Thiagarajan Facs vs Medical Council Of India

This writ petition is filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India praying to quash/set aside the order dated 27.10.2012 passed by Respondent no.1, in striking of the name of the petitioner from the Indian Medical Register Annexure-A as well as from the Register of State Medical Council for a period of one year and etc.

This petition having been heard and reserved on 26.3.2014 and coming on for pronouncement of orders this day, the Court delivered the following:- 3

ORDER

The facts of the case are as follows:

2. The petitioner is a Medical Practitioner and is a

Consultant in Surgical Gastroenterology and Laparoscopic

Surgery. He is also said to be a Multi-organ Transplant Surgeon

and was working as a consultant with M/s Fortis Hospital,

Bangalore.

The petitioner is said to be conferred with innumerable

honours both in India and abroad, over the years in recognition of

his expertise and advanced knowledge in the field of organ

transplantation.

During the year 2010, Smt. Seema Rai, the wife of the third

respondent was said to have been diagnosed with severe diabetes

and end-stage renal failure, was undergoing dialysis treatment at

M/s Fortis Hospital. She was also said to have been registered

with the Zonal Co-ordination Committee of Karnataka 4

(Hereinafter referred to as the "ZCCK", for brevity) for cadaver

kidney transplantation. ZCCK is a body co-ordinating and

regulating the harvesting of cadaver organs in the State of

Karnataka. It is stated that this body ensures that whenever a

cadaver organ becomes available, atleast five expectant recipient

patients, on a waiting list, are intimated so as to ensure that atleast

one recipient can be identified with a blood group cross match and

other compatibility criteria, so that the cadaver organ is

successfully grafted and to ensure that the organ is not lost or

wasted.

It is said that M/s Fortis Hospital had received a call from

ZCCK on 1.5.2010, intimating them of the availability of a kidney

for transplantation with reference to Smt.Rai; The hospital is said

to have, in turn, intimated her and her family and she was

immediately admitted to the Emergency Transplant surgery on the

night of 1.5.2010. It transpires that she had waited for a year to be

the recipient of the available organ. It is claimed that Smt.Rai and 5

her family had been adequately counselled during this waiting

period of the procedures and protocols involved.

It is claimed that ZCCK had intimated that pancreas was

also available from the same cadaver donor and that there was no

other prospective recipient registered for the same at that point of

time with ZCCK. It is stated that on account of Smt.Rai being a

severe diabetic, she was to benefit by a pancreatic transplant as

well and hence it is claimed that she and her family were

informed. It is said that after due deliberation, consent was given

for the dual transplantation of kidney and pancreas.

It is stated that on the early morning of 2.5.2010, kidney

transplant surgery was successfully carried out on Smt.Rai. It is

thereafter that the pancreas transplantation had been carried out. It

transpires that the patient developed a rare, but serious

complication called - disseminated intravascular coagulation-

(abnormal bleeding). Over the next three days, it is stated, the

patient required multiple units of blood, plasma, platelets etc., to

control the bleeding and she did appear to recover - but on the 6

third day after surgery, she is said to have developed high fever

and died the following day on account of sepsis.

It is stated that the third respondent who, it is claimed, had

not raised any complaint or grievance during the treatment and

surgery, is said to have lodged a complaint before the J.P.Nagar

Police Station, as on 2.6.2010, accusing the petitioner and a

Nephrologist, who had treated the deceased for her renal failure,

of acts of negligence. This is said to have been followed by a

complaint against them before the Karnataka Medical Council

(Hereinafter referred to as the 'KMC', for brevity). On the basis

of the criminal complaint, the police are said to have registered a

case for offences punishable under the provisions of the Indian

Penal Code, 1860. It is claimed that the investigation in the

criminal case was incomplete as on the date of this petition.

The KMC had held an enquiry against the petitioner and

another in respect of the complaint and after a full fledged

enquiry, had held that there was no case made out indicating

negligence or violation of the Code of Medical Ethics - on the 7

part of the petitioner or others and exonerated them by an order

dated 2.6.2011.

The third respondent is said to have filed a complaint before

the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

(KSCDRC) complaining of medical negligence and has claimed

damages quantified at Rs.84.56 lakh.

The third respondent is also said to have lodged a complaint

with the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services,

seeking action against the hospital and the doctors concerned. It is

stated that one Dr.V.Raju, Joint Director (Medical), Department of

Health and Family Welfare, was nominated to conduct an enquiry.

On a preliminary enquiry, the said Dr.Raju, is said to have given a

finding that the treatment given to the patient was appropriate and

that no fault could be found with the hospital, the doctors or its

staff. The third respondent is said to have questioned the said

finding before the Appropriate Authority, alleging that there was

an unfair bias in having arrived at the finding and that the enquiry

was not properly conducted. The Appropriate Authority is said to 8

have ordered a further enquiry under the provisions of the

Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994

(Hereinafter referred to as the "HOTA", for brevity). The said

Authority, after conducting a detailed enquiry, gave its finding to

the effect that the primary allegation as to M/s Fortis Hospital not

being authorized to conduct multi-organ transplantations, was not

tenable and gave the hospital a clean chit, by its order dated

22.12.2010.

It transpires that the third respondent approached the

Lokayuktha with a complaint against the Chairman of the

aforesaid Appropriate Authority. The Lokayuktha, in turn, is said

to have called for a report of a Technical Committee, consisting of

three doctors, who were to examine the opinion of the Appropriate

Authority. The said Committee, it appears, had furnished a report

disagreeing with the opinion of the Appropriate Authority. On the

basis of the same, the third respondent having approached the

Appropriate Authority over again, the said Authority had issued a

show cause notice to the hospital and ultimately reversed its 9

earlier opinion and held that M/s Fortis hospital was not

authorized to conduct transplantation of pancreas and

recommended for cancellation of the license granted to the

hospital for transplantation of human organs and cancelled the

certificate of registration, by its Order dated 12.9.2011. But even

in the said review, the Appropriate Authority had held that there

was a valid consent by the patient and her family and that there

was no negligence on the part of the petitioner.

The Lokayuktha had, however, by an order dated 9.9.2011

held that it had no authority to enquire into the decision of the

Appropriate Authority.

The third respondent had also questioned the earlier Order

dated 22.10.2010 passed by the Appropriate Authority before this

court by way of a writ petition in WP 6523/2011 and the same

was disposed of by an order dated 8.9.2011, directing the

Appropriate Authority to dispose of the second complaint

expeditiously .

10

The Hospital is said to have challenged the Order dated

12.9.2011 passed by the Appropriate Authority by way of an

appeal before an Appellate Authority, namely, the Secretary,

Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of

Karnataka. The said appeal is said to have been dismissed by an

order dated 24.11.2011. The same is said to have been challenged

before this court by way of a writ petition in WP 45437/2011, the

same was allowed and the matter was remitted back to the

Appropriate Authority for a fresh consideration, while restraining

the Hospital from performing transplantation surgeries during the

pendency of the matter. That portion of the order restraining the

Hospital from carrying on any transplantation surgeries was said

to have been stayed in an appeal preferred before a division bench

of this court in WA 8767/2012.

The third respondent is said to have challenged the order

dated 2.6.2011 passed by the KMC - exonerating the petitioner of

any act of negligence before the Medical Council of India

(Hereinafter referred to as the 'MCI', for brevity). By an order 11

dated 27.10.2012, the said appeal is said to have been allowed and

the name of the petitioner was ordered to have been removed from

the Indian Medical Register (IMR) for a period of one year,

holding that the petitioner operated on Smt.Rai in a Hospital,

which did not possess a valid license issued by a competent

authority for conducting surgery for pancreas transplantation and

that he had failed to obtain informed consent for the entire process

of kidney and pancreas transplantation. The said order is said to

have been approved by the Board of Governors on 10.12.2012 and

the same having been communicated to the petitioner by a letter

dated 19.2.2013, the same is under challenge in this petition.

3. The learned Senior Advocate Shri C.V.Nagesh,

appearing on behalf of the counsel for the petitioner contends as

follows :

The impugned Order which seeks to reverse the finding that

M/s Fortis Hospital was duly licensed to conduct kidney and

pancreas transplantation is a bald and cryptic order - which does 12

not discuss the voluminous material evidence in support of the

finding and is hence liable to be set aside on that ground alone.

Elaborating further, it is pointed out that the Hospital had

made three separate applications dated 18.1.2010 to the Director,

Health and Family Welfare Services, Government of Karnataka,

seeking Certificates of Registration to conduct transplantation

under the following categories, which are as specified under the

Transplantation of Human Organs Rules, 1995 (Hereinafter

referred to as the 'THO' Rules, for brevity) namely :

(i)Kidney transplantation;

(ii)Transplantation of liver and other abdominal organs;

(iii)Cardiac, pulmonary, cardio-pulmonary transplantation

Pursuant to the filing of such applications, it is said that a

Committee constituted by the Appropriate Authority ,had

inspected the Hospital and verified that it has the facilities and the

required Specialists for the said purpose and on being satisfied,

the Appropriate Authority is said to have issued a Certificate of 13

Registration dated 25.3.2010. The said Certificate was in respect

of the following:

(i)Kidney

(ii)Liver

(iii)Homograft ( permitted usage only)

It is contended that under HOTA, separate registration for

pancreas, intestines or other abdominal organs is neither granted

nor is necessary, since all these are grouped under the same

category, namely, "liver and other abdominal organs." It is also

pointed out that there is no reference to pancreas anywhere in the

HOTA or the Rules thereto. Attention is drawn to the opinion

expressed by the then Joint Director, (Medical), Dr. H.C.Ramesh,

when the very point was raised before the Appellate Authority, to

the effect that it is not the practice in issuing certification to name

all the organs as for instance in the category "Liver", it is not

necessary to mention all other abdominal organs. Pancreas is one

of the abdominal organs.

14 It is contended that this opinion is also endorsed by

Dr.V.Raju, Joint Director (Medical), who had testified before the

KMC, to state : "Fortis Hospital has a license to perform pancreas

transplantation as they already have permission to perform liver

transplantation which includes pancreas and other abdominal

organs".

It is hence contended that in the absence of any discussion

in the impugned order, the basis for any conclusion drawn is not

known and hence leads to a miscarriage of justice.

It is further contended that the KMC had considered the

entire material placed before it in depth and an unanimous opinion

was formed by the Council that there was no negligence or

violation of the Code of Medical ethics, on the part of the doctors,

who performed the transplant surgery on Smt.Rai. The contention

of the third respondent that there was no informed consent either

of the patient, or the attendant of the patient, had been negatived

both by the Appropriate Authority as well as the Appellate 15

Authority. This is completely overlooked by the first respondent

in passing the impugned order.

It is contended that consent of a patient undergoing organ

transplantation is not the mere signature on a form, but is a long

process of the patient being made to understand the implication of

the surgery, and preparing the patient and her family mentally and

the actual procedure is carried out only on being absolutely certain

about the patient's physical state, before planning on the surgery.

This was fully complied with by the team of doctors who attended

on the patient in the present case, to the knowledge of the third

respondent. The document itself, evidencing such consent is a

necessary formality. In any event, the same had been accepted by

more than one authority. However, the first respondent has

negated the same even in the absence of any contra material or

circumstances.

4. On the other hand, the third respondent, Major Pankaj

Rai (retired), appearing in person would contend as follows: 16

The petitioner has an alternative remedy of an appeal under

Section 24 of the Indian Medical Council Act,1956 (Hereinafter

referred to as the 'IMC Act', for brevity), as against the impugned

order and hence the petition would have to be rejected on that

ground alone.

It is contended that the petitioner was well aware of the

limitations of the transplantation license granted to M/s Fortis

Hospital and in particular, the fact that the Hospital did not have

the license to carry out transplantation of organs except those

specifically stated in the license. The petitioner was also aware of

Rule 4A of the THO Rules that prohibited him from carrying out

transplantation surgery since he was also the Medical Co-

ordinator of ZCCK. Despite being so aware, the petitioner

willfully had violated the HOTA and the THO Rules.

Consequently, the impugned order insofar as it relates to the

petitioner is appropriate.

It is contended that the petitioner and its personnel,

including the doctors concerned, had failed to comply with the 17

license conditions relating to appropriate disclosures mandated

against the petitioner and also the mandates in relation to requisite

awareness and psychological evaluation, to procure an "informed

consent". In effect, the petitioner has failed to comply with

Section 12 of the HOTA, which is a mandatory provision.

Relevant depositions of the personnel of the petitioner - Hospital

amply evidence the above position. Further, even ZCCK, in

response to a query under the Right to Information Act, 2005, has

expressed that it was unaware of the petitioner - Hospital not

having a license for transplantation of Pancreas. It is thus clear

that M/s Fortis Hospital had failed to discharge its fiduciary

duties towards Smt.Rai and her family and violated the trust

reposed in the petitioner - Hospital by her and her family.

It is contended that in so far as the claim that the

applications for Certificate of Registration to conduct

transplantation of all abdominal organs was granted, is misleading

and incorrect. It is contended that in fact, only the covering

letters, accompanying the applications, contained the above 18

description and not the applications themselves. The applications

are organ specific and so are licenses and registrations granted to a

transplant centre. Therefore, M/s Fortis Hospital had made

applications under Form No.11 specifically and only for

transplantation of Kidney, Liver, Heart with Homograft. M/s

Fortis Hospital had also included the organ - Pancreas in its

application for the organ - Liver. Since separate applications

are required to be made for each organ, the application of M/s

Fortis Hospital was defective to the extent of containing Pancreas

as an additional organ in the application for Liver. Consequently,

the license for Pancreas was not granted to M/s Fortis Hospital.

The petitioner was well aware that the Hospital did not pay the

prescribed fee for the organ Pancreas nor had made a separate

application as required in law. Consequently, the inspection

committee did not recommend Pancreas, as part of license, for

transplantation. The Hospital did not file an appeal within thirty

days and allowed the matter of registration for Kidney, Liver and

Homograft to reach finality.

19

It is further contended that a license granted under the

HOTA is organ specific and separate licenses are granted for

specified organs under the HOTA. The Government of Karnataka

has issued specified licenses for transplantation of Pancreas to

M/s Narayana Hrudayalaya, M/s Columbia Asia Hospital and

M/s BGS Global Hospital. The Government of Tamil Nadu has

also issued a Certificate granting license for Pancreas to

M/s Global Hospital, Chennai. Similarly, in Delhi, M/s Apollo

Hospital and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have

been granted separate licenses for Pancreas. The term "human

organ" is defined clearly in Section 2(h) of the HOTA and the

HOTA does not make any specific mention to any of the organs in

a human body. The petitioner has been granted permission for

'Homograft', however, even 'Homograft' does not appear in the

HOTA, nor for that matter, the lower bowel. The Director

General of Health Services, Government of India, by its letter

dated 31.5.2011 has clarified that the license for Liver does not

include 'Pancreas' and violation of this is punishable with both 20

imprisonment and fine. The Public Information Officer of the

Appropriate Authority for Organ Transplantation, Government of

Karnataka, also clarified explicitly, by a letter of August 2011,

that license for transplantation of Liver does not provide blanket

permission for transplantation of other abdominal organs

(Pancreas/Lower bowel) as well. Further, even the THO Rules in

general and Rule 9(C) in particular, that is being referred to by the

petitioner, are merely indicative and not exhaustive or suggestive

of being exhaustive. It refers to 'experts and their qualifications'

and not to the registration of Hospitals under the HOTA. The said

position has been clarified by the Director General of Health

Services by his letter dated 15.11.2011. However, it is contended

that the petitioner is attempting to misinterpret the THO Rules to

suit his convenience. The same is baseless and without any merit.

It is further contended that the following circumstances

would indicate that an informed consent as mandated under the

Act was never taken from the patient.

21

a. Smt.Seema Rai, the patient had not signed the "Informed

Consent Form". The Act stipulates that the consent be given by

the patient (recipient) only.

b. According to license condition No.3, the patient is

required to be explained and be given a booklet in English and

Kannada with detailed information about the investigations to be

done, possible complications during investigations, transplantation

and thereafter, appropriate assessment of the costs, risks and

alternatives. This was never done. The petitioner has explicitly

deposed before the KMC that he had explained the benefits and

risks of combined transplant to Mrs.Seema Rai, but had not

recorded the same.

c. Dr.Rajanna Sreedhara, the Nephrologist has deposed

before the KMC on 3.2.2011 and said "I have not advised

regarding Pancreas transplant along with kidney transplant". The

petitioner was introduced to the patient for the first time at about

9.45PM on 1.5.2010 for the first time. The petitioner advised the 22

patient for simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas transplant for the

very first time.

d. A pre-requisite before taking the informed consent was

evaluation by the cardiologist. In the Cadaver Kidney

Transplantation Pre-Operative Recipient Orders, Dr.Rajanna

Sreedhara had directed "References to the following for pre-

operative assessment and clearance - Dr.Venkatesh Cardiologist".

However, in his deposition before the KMC on 3.2.2011 he has

deposed that, "I did not feel that there was a need for a

Cardiologist evaluating at the time of admission". The Hospital

records of 1.5.2010 states, "Informed Dr.Venkatesh about the

admission and reference. Sir told that he will come and see the

patient tomorrow".

e. The third respondent was advised to procure an immune

suppressant drug (Simulect) in the event of surgery. The drug is

required to be administered prior to surgery. However, the

surgery was started before the complainant reached the Hospital as 23

is evidenced from the hospital records. Incision was made at

7.30A.M. and the drug was administered at 8.15 A.M.

f. The patient's daughter was woken up in the morning and

asked to sign a form and write her mother's name stating that the

patient has to be taken for a routine medical test. The daughter

did not realise that she had been asked to sign on the consent form

and the petitioner - Hospital has taken advantage of the same.

g. Suppression of the fact that the Hospital does not have a

license for Pancreas renders any kind of consent null and void.

It is contended that it is clear from the averments of the

petitioner that the petitioner had harvested Pancreas even before

any consent was given by Smt.Seema Rai for the transplantation

surgery. Thus, it is evident that the petitioner and M/s Fortis

Hospital had already planned to carry out transplantation of

Pancreas even before Smt.Seema Rai had consented to such

transplantation. Thus, the violation of Section 12 of the HOTA is

clearly evident from the aforementioned actions of the petitioner. 24

Apart from Section 12 of the HOTA, transplantation surgery

without procuring informed consent is violation of Regulation

7.16 of Code of Ethics Regulations of MCI. Thus, the petitioner

deserves to be awarded a higher punishment than what has been

awarded in the impugned order.

In the light of the above facts and circumstances, the

following points arise for consideration :

(i)Whether the MCI possessed the jurisdiction to impose the

punishment on the petitioner in the appeal filed by the third

respondent.?

(ii)Whether there is a remedy of appeal available to the petitioner

against the impugned order.?

(iii)Whether the order of the MCI can be sustained as being in

accordance with principles of law and justice.?

Point no.(i) :

The MCI is a statutory autonomous body established under

the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (Hereinafter referred to as 25

the "IMC Act", for brevity) and is functioning under the

administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family

Welfare of the Government of India. Its functions are,

(i) Maintenance of standards of medical education in the country;

(ii) to provide registration to the individuals who qualify as

doctors from the recognised institutions in India or abroad which

is included in the Schedule to the IMC Act;

(iii) to hold inquiry or disciplinary action against a registered

medical practitioner with regard to any professional misconduct;

(iv) Grant of Letter of permission/renewal of permission in respect

of different medical colleges in India after conducting the

inspection of those colleges etc.

That Section 20A of the IMC Act empowers the Council to

prescribe standards of professional conduct and etiquette and code

of ethics for medical professionals. Further, Section 33(m) of the

IMC Act empowers the respondent - MCI to frame regulations in

that behalf. The said provisions of the IMC Act read as under: 26

"20A. Professional Conduct - (1) The Council may prescribe standards of professional conduct and etiquette and a code of ethics for medical practitioners.

(2) Regulations made by the Council under sub-

section (1) may specify which violations thereof shall constitute infamous conduct in any professional respect, that is to say, professional misconduct, and such provision shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force.

xxx

33. Power to make Regulations The Council may, with the previous sanction of the Central Government, make regulations generally to carry out the purposes of this Act, and without prejudice to the generality of this power, such regulations may provide for:-

..............

(m) the standards of professional conduct and etiquette and code of ethics to be observed by medical practitioners;..."

That in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 20A

read with Section 33(m) of the IMC Act, the MCI has framed the

Indian Medical Council (Professional conduct, Etiquette and

Ethics) Regulations, 2002, inter alia, prescribing the inclusive

definition of 'professional misconduct', the appropriate council 27

for dealing with cases of professional misconduct, provisions of

appeal etc. The relevant portion of the Ethics Regulations, 2002

relevant for the present controversy is quoted hereunder:

"7. MISCONDUCT:

The following acts of commission or omission on the part of a physician shall constitute professional misconduct rendering him/her liable for disciplinary action:

...

7.16 Before performing an operation the physician should obtain in writing the consent from the husband or wife, parent or guardian in the case of minor, or the patient himself as the case may be. In an operation which may result in sterility the consent of both husband and wife is needed.

8. PUNISHMENT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION 8.1 It must be clearly understood that the instances of offences and of Professional misconduct which are given above do not constitute and are not intended to constitute a complete list of the infamous acts, which calls for disciplinary action, and that by issuing this notice the MCI and or State Medical Councils are in no way precluded from considering and dealing with any other form of professional misconduct on the part of a registered practitioner. Circumstances may and do arise from time to 28

time in relation to which there may occur questions of professional misconduct which do not come within any of these categories. Every care should be taken that the code is not violated in letter or spirit. In such instances as in all others, the MCI and or State Medical Councils brought before the MCI and or State Medical Councils.

8.2 It is made clear that any complaint with regard to professional misconduct can be brought before the appropriate Medical Council for disciplinary action. Upon receipt of any complaint of professional misconduct, the appropriate Medical Council would hold an enquiry and give an opportunity to the registered medical practitioner to be heard in person or by pleader. If the medical practitioner is found to be guilty of committing professional misconduct, the appropriate Medical Council may award such punishment as deemed necessary or may direct the removal altogether or for a specified period, from the register of the name of the delinquent registered practitioner. Deletion from the Register shall be widely publicized in local press as well as in the publications of different Medical Associations/ Societies/Bodies.

8.3 In case the punishment of removal from the register is for a limited period, the appropriate Council may also direct that the name so removed shall be restored in the register after the expiry of the period for which the name was ordered to be removed...."

29 That the disciplinary punishment has been imposed on the

petitioner for two misconducts; firstly, that the petitioner has

performed an organ transplantation surgery in a hospital which

was not having the required statutory permission for conducting

such procedure and secondly, that the petitioner has not taken the

appropriate informed consent of the patient/attendant in respect of

all the surgical procedures conducted on the patient.

It is evident from a plain reading of the above cited

provisions that the MCI has the power and jurisdiction to impose

the punishment in question.

Point no. (ii) : The IMC Act contemplates the maintenance

of a Register of Medical Practitioners known as the Indian

Medical Register, which contains the names of all persons who are

enrolled on any State Medical Register. The Registrar of a State

Medical Council is required to inform the MCI of all additions

and other amendments made, immediately; apart from furnishing a

yearly statement on the first day of April, each year. 30 Section 24 of the IMC Act reads thus :

"24. Removal of names from the Indian Medical Register :- If the name of any person enrolled on a State Medical Register is removed therefrom in pursuance of any power conferred by or under any law relating to registration of medical practitioners for the time being in force in any State, the Council shall direct the removal of the name of such person from the Indian Medical Register.

(2) Where the name of any person has been removed from a State Medical Register on the ground of professional misconduct or any other ground except that he is not possessed of the requisite medical qualifications or where any application made by the said person for restoration of his name to the State Medical Register has been rejected, he may appeal in the prescribed manner and subject to such conditions including conditions as to the payment of a fee as may be laid down in rules made by the Central Government in this behalf, to the Central Government, whose decision, which shall be given after consulting the Council, shall be binding on the State Government and on the authorities concerned with the preparation of the State Medical Register."

It is seen that the petitioner's name is not ordered to be

removed from the State Medical Register pursuant to any order 31

passed under the provisions of the Karnataka Medical Registration

Act ,1961, which is apparently contemplated under the above

Section. Rather the power exercised is traceable to Regulations

8.2 and 8.3 of the IMC (Professional, Conduct, Etiquette and

Ethics) Regulations , 2002. There is no appeal remedy provided

against the same.

Point no.(iii) :

The entire text of the impugned order is produced herewith,

for ready reference, in proceeding to consider this point .

"Appeal against order dated 02.06.2011 passed by Karnataka Medical Council filed by Sh.Pankaj Rai (F.No.102/2011):

The Ethics Committee considered the appeal filed by Sh.Pankaj Rai against the order dated 02.06.2011 passed by Karnataka Medical Council and after deliberating on the matter at length, the Committee is of the view that in this case the treating surgeon namely, Dr.Ramacharan Thiagarajan, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore operated in the hospital which was not possessing valid permission issued by Competent Authority for conducting the surgery for pancreas transplant and failed to take proper informed consent for the entire procedure of kidney and pancreas transplant surgery.

32 Therefore, the Ethics Committee found that Dr.Ram Charan Thiagarajan had violated the Indian Medical Council Regulations, especially Clause 7.16 and the hospital authorities were found to be working illegally as they could not prevent pancreatic transplant surgery in their hospital, as they did not possess any valid permission to do so. In view of the above, the Committee decided to impose the following punishment :

The name of Dr.Ram Charan Thiagarajan be struck of from the Indian Medical Register as well as from the Register of State Medical Council for a period of one (01) year. The Fortis Hospital is found to have performed pancreatic transplant surgery without valid permission from the competent authority. The Govt. of Karnataka (Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare) is requested to take suitable action against the hospital management for conducting pancreatic transplant surgery without valid permission to do so.

(Dr.P.Prasannaraj) Additional Secretary

(PROF. SNEH BHARGAVA) CHAIRPERSON

(Dr. Y.K.Gupta) (Dr.Chander S.Shetty) (Dr.Atul Sood) Member Member Member

(Dr. B.G.Tilak) (Dr. G.K.Sharma) (Amit Bansal)(Advocate) Member Member Member "

33 It is to be kept in view that the MCI has proceeded to

reverse concurrent findings of fact in favour of the petitioner.

This required that the Council record its reasons. This is a well

recognized principle. In a recent decision of the apex court, Ravi

Yashwant Bhoir V. Collector (2012) 4 SCC 407, on a review of

the case law in this regard, it is opined thus :

"38. It is a settled proposition of law that even in administrative matters, the reasons should be recorded as it is incumbent upon the authorities to pass a speaking and reasoned order. In Shrilekha Vidyarthi . v. State of U.P., AIR 1991 SC 537, this Court has observed as under:-

"36.....Every such action may be informed by reason and if follows that an act un-informed by reason is arbitrary, the rule of law contemplates governance by laws and not by humour, whim or caprice of the men to whom the governance is entrusted for the time being. It is the trite law that 'be you ever so high, the laws are above you.' This is what men in power must remember always'.

40. In L.I.C. v. Consumer Education and Research Centre, AIR 1995 SC 1811, this Court observed that the State or its instrumentality must not 34

take any irrelevant or irrational factor into consideration or appear arbitrary in its decision. "Duty to act fairly" is part of fair procedure envisaged under Articles 14 and 21. Every activity of the public authority or tthose under public duty must be received and guided by the public interest. A similar view has been reiterated by this Court in Union of India v. Mohan Lal Capoor, AIR 1974 SC 87 and Mahesh Chandra v. U.P. Financial Corporation, AIR 1993 SC 935.

41. In State of W.B. v. Atul Krishna Shaw, AIR 1990 SC 2205, this Court observed that: (SCC p.421, para7)

"7.... Giving of reasons is an essential element of administration of justice. A right to reason is, therefore, an indispensable part of sound system of judicial review."

42. In S.N. Mukherjee v. Union of India, AIR 1990 SC 1984, it has been held that the object underlying the rules of natural justice is to prevent miscarriage of justice and secure fair play in action. The expanding horizon of the principles of natural justice provides for requirement to record reasons as it is now regarded as one of the principles of natural justice, and it was held in the above case that except in cases where the requirement to record reasons is expressly or by 35

necessary implication dispensed with, the authority must record reasons for its decision.

43. In Krishna Swami v. Union of India, AIR 1993 SC 1407, this Court observed that the rule of law requires that any action or decision of a statutory or public authority must be founded on the reason stated in the order or borne-out from the record. The Court further observed: (SCC p.637 para 47)

" 47... Reasons are the links between the material, the foundation for their erection and the actual conclusions. They would also demonstrate how the mind of the maker was activated and actuated and their rational nexus and synthesis with the facts considered and the conclusions reached. Lest it would be arbitrary, unfair and unjust, violating Article 14 or unfair procedure offending Article 21"

44. This Court while deciding the issue in Sant Lal Gupta. v. Modern Co-operative Group Housing Society Ltd., (2010) 13 SCC 336, placing reliance on its various earlier judgments held as under: (SCC pp345- 346 para 27)

"27. It is a settled legal proposition that not only administrative but also judicial orders must be supported by reasons, recorded in it. Thus, while deciding an issue, the Court is bound to give reasons for its conclusion. It is the duty and obligation on the part of 36

the Court to record reasons while disposing of the case. The hallmark of order and exercise of judicial power by a judicial forum is for the forum to disclose its reasons by itself and giving of reasons has always been insisted upon as one of the fundamentals of sound administration of the justice - delivery system, to make it known that there had been proper and due application of mind to the issue before the Court and also as an essential requisite of the principles of natural justice.

'3.......The giving of reasons for a decision is an essential attribute of judicial and judicious disposal of a matter before Courts, and which is the only indication to know about the manner and quality of exercise undertaken, as also the fact that the Court concerned had really applied its mind.'

The reason is the heartbeat of every conclusion. It introduces clarity in an order and without the same, the order becomes lifeless. Reasons substitute subjectivity with objectivity. The absence of reasons renders an order indefensible/unsustainable particularly when the order is subject to further challenge before a higher forum. Recording of reasons is principle of natural justice and every judicial order must be supported by reasons recorded in writing. It ensures transparency and fairness in decision making. The person who is adversely affected must know why his application has been rejected."

37

45. In Institute of Chartered Accountants of India v. L.K. Ratna, AIR 1987 SC 71, this Court held that on charge of misconduct the authority holding the inquiry must record reasons for reaching its conclusion and record clear findings. The Court further held: (SCC P.558 para30)

"30.... In fairness and justice, the member is entitled to know why he has been found guilty. The case can be so serious that it can attract the harsh penalties provided by the Act. Moreover, the member has been given a right of appeal to the High Court under S. 22A of the Act. To exercise his right of appeal effectively, he must know the basis on which the Council has found him guilty. We have already pointed out that a finding by the Council is the first determinative finding on the guilt of the member. It is a finding by a Tribunal of first instance. The conclusion of the Disciplinary Committee does not enjoy the status of a 'finding'. Moreover, the reasons contained in the report by the Disciplinary Committee for its conclusion may or may not constitute the basis of the finding rendered by the Council. The Council must, therefore, state the reasons for its finding".

46. The emphasis on recording reason is that if the decision reveals the `inscrutable face of the sphinx', it can by its silence, render it virtually impossible for the courts to perform their appellate function or exercise the 38

power of judicial review in adjudging the validity of the decision. Right to reason is an indispensable part of a sound judicial system, reasons at least sufficient to indicate an application of mind of the authority before the court. Another rationale is that the affected party can know why the decision has gone against him. One of the salutary requirements of natural justice is spelling out reasons for the order made. In other words, a speaking out, the inscrutable face of the sphinx is ordinarily incongruous with a judicial or quasi-judicial performance.

xxx

In Principles of Administrative Law, authored by

Shri M.P.Jain and Shri S.N.Jain, Fifth Edition, it is opined as

follows:-

Adjudicatory bodies in an area may be arranged in a

hierarchical structural order. Before Siemens, the question was

considered by the Supreme Court in several cases whether all such

bodies must give reasons for their decisions when a case moves

from the lower to the higher body. Here the courts have

considered several alternative situations. 39

(i) The lower authority itself may not give reasons, or may

give nebulous or scrappy reasons. If the appellate authority

merely affirms such an order without giving any reasons, the order

of the appellant authority will be bad.

(ii) Where, however, the facts are so notorious that the

reasons for the administrative action are too obvious and could not

possibly be questioned by anybody, the fact that no reasons were

given by the revision authority may not vitiate the action (See:

Nandram Hunatram vs. Union of India, AIR 1966 SC 1922).

(iii) It has also been held that reasons ought to be given by

the appellate authority where it is endorsing the order of the lower

authority but the order of the latter contains several reasons some

of which are good and some bad. The appellate body should at

least indicate clearly that it was accepting the reasons given by the

lower authority. (See: Bhagat Raja v. Union of India, AIR 1967

SC 1606 at 1610).

40

(iv) An appellate authority must give reasons where it is reversing

the order of the lower authority, whether the latter has given

reasons or not.

(v) A ticklish question is raised, however, when an

authority makes a reasoned order and the appellate authority

merely affirms it. Should the appellate body give its own reasons

in such a situation?

Earlier a view was expressed that no reasons need be given

by the appellate body in such a situation because it could be

assumed that it had accepted the reasons given by the lower

authority.(See: M.P.Industries vs. Union of India, AIR 1966 SC

671; CIT vs. Pilliah, (1967) 63 ITR 411 SC). But then the

judicial view underwent a change and it came to be ruled that the

appellate body should give its own reasons even though it is

affirming a reasoned decision of the lower body; at least it should

be indicated clearly by the appellate authority that it was accepting

the reasons given by the lower authority (See: Bhagat Raja v.

Union of India, AIR 1967 SC 1606) .

41

The said authors have further opined that the simplest and

most effective rule to follow in adjudicatory proceedings will be

that every body, appellate or original, should give its reasons for

its decision irrespective of any consideration, unless there is some

reason (security or public interest) for not doing so. The appellate

body should give its own reasons irrespective of the fact whether

it is affirming the decision of the lower body and whether the

lower body has given its own reasons.

In "Writs Law and Practice" authored by Shri M.R.Malick,

it is opined as follows:-

Except in cases where the requirement of recording of

reasons has been dispensed with expressly or by necessary

implication, an administrative authority exercising judicial or

quasi-judicial functions must record the reasons for its decision.

Such a decision is subject to the appellate jurisdiction of the

Supreme Court under Article 136 as well as the supervisory

jurisdiction of High Court under Article 227 and the reasons, if

recorded, would enable the Supreme Court or High Courts to 42

effectively exercise the appellate or supervisory power. But this is

not the sole consideration. Other considerations for the

requirement of recording reasons are - (i) to guarantee

consideration by the authority; (ii) to introduce clarity in the

decision; and (iii) to minimize chances of arbitrariness in decision

making. However, it is not required that the reasons should be as

elaborate as in the decision of a court of law. The extent and

nature of the reasons would depend on particular facts and

circumstances (See: D.B. Raji v H.J. Kantharaj (1990) 4 SCC

178).

However, act of recording reasons may differ from case to

case.

Recording of reasons are sufficient which may be

discernible from the order itself or contemporaneous record.

Therefore, the reasons need not be contained in the order itself,

administrative order itself may contain reasons or the file may

disclose reasons to arrive at the decision showing application of 43

mind to the facts in issue (See: M.J. Shirani v. State of

Karnataka, AIR 1995 SC 1770; (1995) 6 SCC 289).

In his "Commentary on the Constitution of India" by

Acharya Dr. Durga Das Basu, Eighth Edition, Volume 7, it is

opined as follows:-

The English Law did not till recently, recognise a general

duty to give reasons for an administrative decision. (See: R v.

Secretary of State for the Home Department exparte Doody,

(1994)1 AC 531: (1993)3 WLR 154 : (1993)3 All ER 92; R v.

Secretary of State for the Home Department exparte Fayed,

(1998)1 WLR 763: (1997)1 All ER 228.)

Nevertheless, it was equally beyond doubt that such a

duty "may in appropriate circumstances be implied" (by LORD

MUSATILL in Doody's case) or as was said in Fayed's case "it

may be a case which is crying for reasons". An analysis of factors

which will often be material to such an implication is to be found

in R v. Civil Service Appeal Board exparte Cunningham, (1991)4

All ER 311, wherein it was observed: "The principles of public 44

law will require that those affected by decisions are given the

reason for those decisions in some cases, but not in others".

It was held that the absence of reasons for a decision where

there is no duty to give them cannot of itself provide any support

for the suggested irrationality of the decision. The only

significance of the absence of reasons is that if all other known

facts and circumstances appear to point over whelmingly in

favour of a different decision, the decision maker who has given

no reason cannot complain if the court draws the inference that he

had no rational reason for his decision. (See: R vs. Secretary of

State for Trade & Industry exp. Lmbro Plc., (1989) 1 WLR 525;

Padfield vs. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,

(1968)AC 1997).

Natural justice demands that (1) the applicant be informed

of the nature of the case against him; and (2) he be given a

reasonable opportunity to be heard. And, as has been said, if

"opportunity to be heard is to have any value in practice", the

decision maker must assign or identify the reason for any adverse 45

decision. (See: R. v. Secretary of State for the Home Department

exparte Fayed, (1998)1 WLR 763: (1997)1 All ER 228.). Thus,

the right of hearing and the duty to give reasons are related, one

with the other, and failure to give reasons is, where there is a duty

to give reasons, treated as breach of natural justice."

In USA, the need for an agency to state the reasons was

not consistent till 1990. In Dunlop vs. Bachowski (1975) 421 US

560, the court held that the agency was required " a statement of

reasons ....... And the essential facts upon which the ....

Inferences are based, even though there was no statutory

requirement of findings or reasons.

The Supreme Court of India has held that withholding

reasons amounted to denial of opportunity of hearing (See:

Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India, AIR 1978 SC 597).

In S.N.Mukherjee vs. Union of India, AIR 1990 SC 1984,

it was observed that except in cases where the requirement of

recording of reasons has been dispensed with expressly or by 46

necessary implication, an administrative authority exercising

judicial or quasi-judicial function must record reason for its

decision. In another case, the court observed that though the

principles of natural justice do not require reasons for decision,

there is necessity for giving reasons in view of expanding law of

judicial review to enable the citizens to discover the reasoning

behind the decision. Right to reason is an indispensable part of a

sound system of judicial review. Under our Constitution, an

administrative decision is subject to judicial review if it affects the

rights of citizens; it is, therefore, desirable that reasons should

be stated. (See: Union of India vs. Nambudiri, AIR 1991 SC

1216).

In Seimens Engg. Co. v. Union of India, AIR 1976 SC

1785, it was held that rule requiring reasons to be recorded is a

basic principle of natural justice. (See: Maneka Gandhi v. Union

of India, AIR 1978 SC 597; State of West Bengal v. Atul Krishna

Shaw, AIR 1990 SC 2205). Making a decision without stating

reason is a negation of the rule of law (See: Mahabir Prasad 47

Santosh Kumar vs. State of U.P., AIR 1970 SC 1302 ; Govt.

Branch Press v. D.B.belliappa, AIR 1979 SC 429; Ram Chandra

vs. Union of India, AIR 1986 SC 1173). It was held that

reasons play a very important factor inasmuch as reasons

disclose how the mind is applied to the subject matter for a

decision and that if reasons are disclosed, in that event, it would

reveal the conclusions whether based on actual materials or not. (See: Union of India v. M.L.Kapoor , AIR 1974 SC 87;

Harinagar Sugar Mills v. Shyam Sundar, AIR 1961 SC 1669;

Bhagat Raja v. Union of India, AIR 1967 SC 1606; Travancore

Rayons v. Union of India, AIR 1971 SC 862; Rama Varma

Bharathan Thampuran v. State of Kerala, AIR 1979 SC 1918).

In Shri Swamiji v. Commissioner, HR & CE, AIR 1980 SC

1, it was held that reason is the soul of law and when reason of

any particular law ceases, so does the law. In Maharashtra State

Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education v.

K.S.Gandhi,(1991) 2 SCC 716, it was held that reasons are 48

harbinger between the mind of the maker of the order to the

controversy in question and the decision or conclusion arrived at

and they also exclude the chances to reach arbitrary, whimsical or

capricious decision or conclusion. (See: Gurdial Singh Fijji vs.

State of Punjab, (1979) 2 SCC 368; Punjab SEB v. Git Singh,

(2009)13 SCC 118).

The purpose of disclosure of reasons is that people must

have confidence in judicial and quasi-judicial authorities.

Unless reasons are disclosed, a person cannot know whether or

not the authority concerned has applied its mind. Also, giving

reasons minimises the chances of arbitrariness. It is also an

essential requirement of the rule of law (See: Chairman,

Disciplinary Authority, Rani Laxmibai Kshetriya Gramina Bank

vs. Jagdish Sharan Varshney, 2009 4 SCC 240).

In "Public Law" by Dr.Mark Elliott and Dr.Robert Thomas,

it is stated as follows:-

Fairness as understood at common law may require the

giving of reasons. In order to decide whether this is so, the 49

reviewing court examines the circumstances of the case,

balancing any arguments for and against the giving of reasons in

order to come to a rounded view about what fairness requires.

(See: R vs. Higher Education Funding Council exp Institute of

Dental Surgery, (1994)1 WLR 242.) Prominent among the factors

that weigh in favour of the imposition of a reason - giving duty is

the importance of the right or interest that is at stake. So if, as in

R. Secretary of State for the Home Department exparte Doody,

(1994)1 AC 531,564, the decision affects the claimant's liberty,

this will be a strong indication that reasons should be given, as

will the fact that the decision impacts on other important interests

such as professional standing, reputation (See: R v. Ministry of

Defence, ex p Murray (1998) COD 134; R v. City of London

Corporation, ex p Matson, (1997)1 WLR 765 or bodily integrity or

bodily integrity (See: R (Wooder) v. Feggetter, (2002)EWCA

Civ.554, (2003)QB 219). A duty to give reasons is also likely to

be imposed in respect of decisions that are aberrant - that is,

decisions that, on the face of it, seem inexplicable, perhaps 50

because they appear to fly in the face of the great weight of

evidence (See: R vs. Higher Education Funding Council exp

Institute of Dental Surgery, (1994)1 WLR 242, 263). On the

other hand, the court also has to weigh factors that point away

from a duty to give reasons: this may be so where, for example,

giving reasons would place 'an undue burden on the decision-

maker' or 'call for the articulation of sometimes inexpressible

value judgments. (See: R vs. Higher Education Funding Council

exp Institute of Dental Surgery, (1994)1 WLR 242, 257).

In South Buckinghamshire District Council v. Porter,

(2004) UKHL 33, (2004)WLR 1953 (36), it was said that while

reasons must enable people to understand why the decision was

reached and what the conclusions were on the main points of

controversy, they need refer only to the 'main issues' and not to

'every material consideration'. It also seems that the court will

take into account the burden that a requirement to give reasons

imposes on the decision - maker: where, for example, decisions

are taken by groups of people, it has been held that it would be 51

unduly burdensome to require each individual decision-maker's

thinking to be set out, such that very broad-brush reasons may

suffice in such situations. (See: R(Asha Foundation) v. Millenium

Commission (2003) EWCA Civ.88).

The standard of reasons required are lucidly expounded in

De Smith's Judicial Review, 6th Edition:

1

It remains difficult to state precisely the standard of

reasoning the court will demand. Much depends upon the

particular circumstances¹, and the statutory context in which the

duty to give reasons arises. It is clear that the reasons given must

be intelligible and must adequately meet the substance of the

arguments advanced²arguments advanced². It will not suffice to

1 R. (on the application of the Asha Foundation) v The Millennium Commission, [2003]EWCA Civ 88 at [27]; Flannery and Flannery v Halifax Estate Agencies Ltd. [2000]1 WLR 377 at 382.

2 (Re Poyser and Mills' Arbitration [1964] 2 Q.B. 467 at 477-478, is the most frequently cited judicial articulation of the test of the adequacy of reasons; approved in Westminster CC v Great Portland Estates Plc [1985] A.C.661 at 673; cf. Save Britain's Heritage v Number One Poultry Ltd [1991] 1 W.L.R. 153 at 165; and Edwin H. Bradley and Sons Ltd.

V Secretary of State for the Environment, (1982) 47 P. & C.R. 374 (same standard was applied despite the subjective element in the minister's duty under the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 S.9(8) to give such statement as he considers appropriate of the reasons for his decision); Bolton MBC v. Secretary of State for the Environment (No.2), [1995] 3 P.L.R.37).

52

merely recite a general formula or restate a statutorily-prescribed

conclusion³.

It is also preferable if the reasons demonstrate that a

systematic analysis has been undertaken by the decision-maker4.

However, the courts have not attempted to define a uniform

standard or threshold which the reasons must satisfy, and on

occasion, courts have expressed concern that decision-makers be

3. R. v Birmingham City Council Ex.p.B [1999] E.L.R..305 at 311 [Scott Baker J. noting that the letter sent did "nothing more than make ritual incantation of the two-stage process that is applicable for deciding these appeals"). However, where the decision involves a clear application of policy, "[t]he reason is the policy"; R. (on the application of Thompson] v Secretary of State for the Home Department[2003]EWHC 538 at [41].

4. (See: e.g. R. (on the application of Lowe) v Family Health Services Appeal Authority [2001] EWCA Civ 128 at [18] (reasons inadequate because they did not deal with the question in correct "logical sequence"); R. v Crown Court at Cantebury Ex p. Howson-Ball [2001] Env L.R. 36 at [32] (referring to a need for the Crown Court to provide "some analysis" of the relevant matters); Curtis v Lodon Rent Assessment Committee [1999] Q.B. 92 at 118-119 (the rent assessment committee's duty to give reasons required some "working through", i.e. an arithmetical explanation, of the assessment)). 53

granted "a certain latitude in how they express themselves"5. The

reasons must generally state the decision-maker's material

findings of fact (and, if the facts were disputed at the hearing, their

evidential support6 and meet the substance of the principal

arguments that the decision-maker was required to consider. If a

decision is made on the basis of the evidence of witnesses or

experts, reasons for preferring one witness or expert over another

should generally be explained.7 In short, the reasons must show

5. (R. v Brent London LBC Ex p. Baruwa (1997) 29 H.L.R. 915 at 929, approved in William v Wandsworth LBC [2006] EWCA Civ 535; [2006] H.L.R. 42 at [18].)

6. (Cf. R. v Secretary of State for the Home Department Ex p. Swati [1986] 1 W.L.R. 477 (passenger refused entry entitled only to be told the ground for refusal; statement of facts required only after notice of appeal is given.))

7. (R. (on the application of H) v Ashworth Hospital Authority [2002] EWCA Civ 923; [2003] 1 W.LRr. 127 at [81]' R. (on the application of Bushell) v Newcastle Upon Tyne Licensing Justice [2004] EWHC 446 at [41] cf. R. (on the application of Alliss) v Legal Services Commission [2002] EWHC 2079 at [65].) 54

that the decision-maker successfully came to grips with the main

contentions advanced by the parties8, and must tell the parties in

broad terms why they lost or, as the case may be, won'9.

8. (In addition to Re Poyser [1964]2 Q.B. 467 authority for the proposition in the text can be found, e.g. in: R. v Immigration Appeal Tribunal Ex p. Khan [1983] Q.B. 790; Knights Motors Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment [1984] J.P.L. 584; R. v Mental Health Tribunal Ex p. Pickering [1986]1 All E.R. 99; Bolton MBC [1995] 3 P.L.R. 37; MIT Securities Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment (1998) 75 P. & C.R. 188, CA; S v Special Educational Needs Tribunal [1995] 1 W.L.R. 1627 at 1636; R. v Immigration Appeal Tribunal Ex p. Jebunisha Patel [1996] Imm. A.r. 161 at 167; Arulandandam v Secretary of State for the Home Department [1996] Imm. A.R. 587 at 592; R. v Secretary of State for Education Ex p. G [1995] E.L.R. 58 at 67; R. v Lancashire CC Ex p. Maycock (1995) 159 L.G. Rev. 201 ("standard letter" with individual variations sufficient in circumstances); R. v Islington LBC Ex p. Hinds (1996) 28 H.L.R. 302; R. v criminal injuries Compensation Board Ex P. Cook [1996] 1 W.L.R. 1037 at 1043; R. v Secretary of State for Transport Ex p. Richmond-upon- Thames LBC [1996] 1 W.L.R. 1460, CA.)

9. (UCATT v Brain [1981] I.R.L.R. 224 at 228 (Lord Donaldson M.R.: reasons required of industrial tribunal); Piggott Brothers & Co. Ltd v Jackson [1991] I.R.I.R. 309 at 313; Ex p. Ross, The Times, June 9, 1994, CA (prison governor giving reasons for transfer of disruptive prisoner did not need to give "Chapter and verse" of prisoner's conduct relied upon. See also R. (on the application of Bahram) v Immigration Appeal Tribunal [2003] EWHC 1453 at [8] (Maurice Kay J.: "what is essential is not that an adjudicator should deal with every point at length, but that the determination should be sufficiently reasoned to enable a claimant, his advisers, and any appellate or reviewing body, to see why the claimant lost on a particular issue").

55

Provided the reasons satisfy these core criteria, they need not be

lengthy10. Judicial review may be inappropriate where the dispute

relates to issues about the precise drafting of a decision11. Courts

should also not scrutinize reasons with the analytical rigour

employed on statutes or trust instruments12, and ought to forgive

obvious mistakes that were unlikely to have misled anyone13.

Some general guidance on the standard of reasons required may

also be derived from a consideration of the purposes served by a

duty to give reasons. Thus, reasons should be sufficiently detailed

as to make quite clear to the parties - and especially the losing

party - why the decision-maker decided as it did, and to avoid the

impression that the decision was based upon extraneous

10. (Stefan v General Medical Council [1999]1 W.L.R. 1293 at 1304 (reasons "need not be elaborate nor lengthy")

11. (R. (on the application of W) v Acton Youth Court [2005] EWHC 954; (2006) 170 J.P.31)

12. (Seddon Properties Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment (1978) 42 P. & C.R. 26; UCATT v Brain [1981] I.R.L.R.224)

13.( Elmbridge BC v Secretary of State for the Environment (1980)39 P. & C.R.543 at 547-

548).

56

considerations, rather than the matters raised at the hearing14.

Reasons must be sufficient to reveal whether the tribunal made

any error of law.15 Reasons must also enable the court to which

an appeal lies to discharge its appellate functions, and when this is

limited to questions of law, it will only be necessary to explain

the exercise of discretion and to set out the evidence for the

findings of fact in enough detail to disclose that the decision-

maker has not acted unreasonably16. The reasons should refer to

the main issues in the dispute, but need not necessarily deal with

every material consideration.17

14. (See, e.g. R. v Mental Health Review Tribunal Ex p. Clatworthy [1985] 3 All E.R. 699; R.(on the application of Ashworth Hospital Authority) v Mental Health Review Tribunal for West Midlands and North West Region [2001] EWHC Admin 901 at [77]; South Bucks DC v Porter (No.2) [2004] UKHL 33; [2004] 1 W.L.R. 1953 at [36].)

15. (Ashworth Hospital [2001] EWHC Admin 901 at [77]; South Bucks [2004] UKHL 33; [2004] 1 W.L.R. 1953 at [36].)

16. (Varndelll v Kearney & Trecker Marwin Ltd [1983] I.C.R.683 at 693-694 , criticizing the possibly more stringent test propounded in Alexander Machinery (Dudley) Ltd v Crabtree [1974] I.C.R. 120 at 122; cf. Thameside MBC v Secretary of State for the Environment [1984] J.P.L. 180, where the court may have set a high standard to ensure that a peripheral consideration in the determination of a planning appeal had not been given undue importance. And see R. v Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies Ex p. New Cross Building Society [1984] Q.B. 227.)

17. (South Bucks [2004]UKHL 33; [2004] 1 W.L.R.1953 at [36]; R. v Criminal injuries Compensation Board Ex p. Cook [1996] 1 W.L.R.1037 at 1043.) 57

Brevity is an administrative virtue, and elliptical reasons may be

perfectly comprehensible when considered against the background

of the arguments at the hearing18. Some decisions (such as the

refusal of planning permission by an inspector) should be

accompanied by reasons that are sufficiently precise to permit the

individual to make the modifications necessary to secure a

favourable decision in the future, or (where a Secretary of State

disagree with an inspector) to enable an objector to know what, if

any, impact the planning considerations taken into account in a

grant of planning permission may have in

18. (Elliot v Southwark LBC [1976] 1 W.L.R. 499; R. v Mental Health Tribunal Ex p. Pickering [1986] 1 All E.R. 99; Great Portland Estates Plc v Westminster City Council [1985] A.C.661 at 673. The courts have recognised that the decision letters of inspectors are generally more succinct than the report and recommendations by inspectors together with letter of decision from the Secretary of State in non-devolved appeals. Nonetheless, in devolved decisions inspectors are held to much the same standard; see Hope v Secretary of State for the Environment (1975) 31 P. & C.R.120; cf. Ellis v Secretary of State for the Environment (1974) 31 p. & C.R. 130; and Hatfield Construction Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment [1983] J.P.L. 605. And see A. Barker and M. Couper, "The Art of Quasi- judicial Administration: The Planning Appeal and Inquiry System in England" (1983) 6 Urban Law and Policy 363, pp. 454-455, where the increase in court challenges o inspectors' decisions in the early 1980s is attributed to deficiencies in inspectors' skills in writing decision letters.) 58

relation to the determination of future applications19.

The standard of reasons required in certain specific contexts

has been considered. For example, a mental health review

tribunal should explain why one witness is preferred to another;

the reasons should sufficiently inform the patient and the hospital

of the findings of the tribunal; and the court should take into

account the fact that the tribunal has a legally qualified chairman

and that reasons do not have to be given immediately20. As for

immigration adjudicators, it has been held that there is no duty on

the adjudicator to deal with every argument raised by the advocate

in the case21, but the critical matters must be explained sufficiently

clearly for the "thought processes" of the adjudicator on "material

findings" to be understood.22

19. (Save Britain's Heritage v Number 1 Poultry Ltd [1991] 1 W.L.R. 153 at 167. A mental health review tribunal should give sufficiently precise reasons to enable patients and medical advisors to cover the matters on a renewed application)

20. (Ashworth Hospital [2001] EWHC Admin 901 at[77])

21. (Eagil Trust Co Ltd v Piggott-Brown [1985]3 All E.R. 119 at 122)

22. (English v Emery Reimbold and Strick Ltd [2002] EWCA Civ 605; [2002] 1 W.L.R.2409 at [19] (Lord Phillips M.R.).

59

However, whilst concern for the quality of administrative

justice does not require that all tribunals in all circumstances

comply with some universally applicable standard, it is,

nonetheless, essential that the courts do not allow the duty to give

reasons to atrophy. In principle a remedy ought to lie for failure

to give reasons23, unless the court is satisfied that no real prejudice

has been caused to the applicant.24 The reasons given by the

reviewing court can often remedy the shortcomings of the original

decision maker.

23. (On an appeal from a decision on a question of law the courts may well have an inherent jurisdiction to direct the minister or tribunal to give adequate reasons although no formal application for mandamus has been made; see Iveagh (Earl) v Minister of Housing and Local Government [1964] 1 Q.B. 395 at 410.)

24. (R. v Livepool CC Ex p. Livepool Taxi Fleet Operators' Association [1975] 1 W.L.R. 701 at 706; cf. Preston BC v Secretary of State for the Environment [1978] J.P.L. 548 (omission of significant part of reasoning normally prejudicial); Save Britain's Heritage [1991] 1 W.L.R.153. Outside the planning field, however (where the requirement to demonstrate substantial prejudice is required by statute), the courts will not readily conclude that an applicant is not prejudiced by an inadequately reasoned decision. The test may be whether any other conclusion than that reached was realistically possible: R. v Ministry of Defence Ex p. Murray [1998] C.O.D. 134, or whether it is "obvious" that there is no injustice (R. v Winchester Crown Court Ex p. Morris [1996] C.O.D. 104) 60

Whatever standards are applied by judges to the adequacy

of reasons given under a duty, it seems likely that reasons given

voluntarily - where there is no duty - will be reviewed in

accordance with the same standards as are applied to compulsory

reasons25. It is no answer to an attack on the reasons for a

decision on the grounds that they disclose a failure to take into

account a relevant consideration or that an irrelevant consideration

was taken into account or an error of law was made, that there is

no requirement to give reasons. The unlawfulness in such a case

lies not in the failure to give proper reasons, but in the unlawful

nature of the decision, reasoning, or failure to reason, thereby

disclosed.26

25. (Elmbridge BC v Secretary of State for the Environment (1980) 39 P. & C.R. 543; Westminster City Council v Secretary of State for the Environment [1984] J.P.L. 27 at 29- 30; also Grenfell-Baines v Secretary of State for the Environment [1985] J.P.L. 256. cf. Kentucky Fried Chicken Pty Ltd v Gantidis (1979) 140 C.L.R. 675. In R. v Secretary of State for Transport Ex p. Richmond-upon-Thames LBC, the CA([1996] 1 W.L.R. 1460) did not rely upon the suggestion of Jowitt J. at first instance ([1996] 1 W.L.R.1005) that there was no duty to give reasons in respect of a voluntary consultation)

26. (See, e.g. R. v Criminal Injuries Compensation Board v Gambles [1994] P.I.Q.R. 314 (CICB's reasons contained a defect such that the decision could not stand, in faling to establish or disclose a rational and proportionate nexus between the conduct of the applicant and the decision not to offer him even a discounted award). But see now R. v Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Ex p. Cook [1996] 1 W.L.R.1037, CA) 61

On applications for judicial review, it is the practice of

government departments and public bodies to explain their

reasons for their actions irrespective of any legal obligation to do

so, where the outcome of the applications will depend on these

reasons. As Lord Donaldson M.R. has said, judicial review "is a

process which falls to be considered with all the cards face

upwards on the table and the vast majority of the cards start in the

authority's hands",27 But in those cases where it is only because

of the demands of procedural fairness or fairness that reasons are

given, it may be that a lower standard applied; reasons may be as

brief as a few sentences if that is enough to convey the substance

of the decision28.

27. (R. v Lancashire CC Ex p. Huddleston [1986] 2 All E.R.941; OFT v IBA Healthcare [2004] I.C.R. 1364)

28. (R. v Civil Service Appeal Board Ex p. Cunningham [1991] 4 All E.R.310) 62

In the light of the above, in the opinion of this court, the

impugned Order is not sustainable as it does not disclose the

reasons that weighed on the collective wisdom of the Council, in

reversing concurrent findings of the lower authorities.

Consequently, the writ petition is allowed and the impugned order

is quashed in so far as it affects the petitioner and the matter is

remanded for a fresh consideration, by the MCI and disposal in

accordance with law. Having regard to the fact that the matter

has been hanging fire for several years now, it is requested that the

MCI expedite further consideration and pass appropriate orders in

accordance with law and in any event, within a period of four

months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

Sd/-

JUDGE

nv*