Patiala, July 18 -- To streamline the process of medico-legal investigations and reduce patient harassment, the Punjab health department has mandated that doctors submit medico-legal reports (MLRs), including X-rays, CT scans and other test results, to investigating officers (IOs) within two days of preparation. The new directive also stipulates that failure to comply with this order will lead to disciplinary action and potential legal consequences for the concerned doctors.

The order, issued by the Punjab health secretary to all heads of government medical institutions, comes in the wake of a Punjab and Haryana high court ruling dated July 7, 2025, which criticised the delays in the release of MLR-related medical reports and the consequ...