Snakebites across country, do something; take States on board, Supreme Court to Union Government

Supreme Court urges Union Government to address nationwide snakebite crisis by ensuring availability of treatment in medical facilities.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday (January 27, 2025) observed that the issue of snakebites was prevalent "throughout the country" and asked the Union Government to take all States on board to "do something" in making available snakebite treatment at medical facilities.

A Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and S.V.N Bhatti was hearing a plea that said the country faced a significant public health crisis owing to the scarcity of anti-venom, crucial in treating snakebites. "You can take the States on board. The problem is throughout the country," the Bench told the Centre's counsel.

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It went on, "You can have a meeting with all the representatives of the States and try to do something. It is not an adversarial litigation." The Centre's counsel said the government would place on record its steps taken on the issue.

The lawyers of some States said they would file their counter affidavit in the matter following which the Bench granted them six weeks and posted the matter after that. On December 13, 2024, the apex court sought responses from the Centre and others on the plea filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi, an advocate.

The plea sought directions to make available anti-venom and snakebite treatment at health centres, government hospitals and medical colleges to save lives of victims. The plea, filed through advocate Chand Qureshi, argued India with the highest rate of snakebite deaths globally witnessed 58,000 fatalities approximately each year.

Karnataka saw a sharp rise in recorded snakebites, deaths in 2024