Jharkhand High Court Orders FIR over HIV-Infected Blood Transfusions to Children

The Jharkhand High Court directed registration of an FIR after five children suffering from thalassemia were allegedly infected with HIV due to transfusion of contaminated blood.

Justice Gautam Kumar Choudhary held that when a complaint discloses a serious cognisable offence, police are duty-bound to register an FIR without delay. 

The Court noted that infected blood falls within the ambit of “spurious drugs” under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, attracting criminal liability. Emphasising the vulnerability of the affected children from marginalised backgrounds, the Court ordered immediate action upon a written complaint. 

The Court listed the matter for compliance review on February 18, 2026.

[Deepika H & Ors. v. State of Jharkhand & Ors.]