The Supreme Court, resuming hearing in the Kolkata trainee doctor rape and murder case on Thursday urged protesting medical professionals to return to work and assured no coercive action will be taken against them by respective state governments for the protest.
Resuming hearing in the afternoon in the suo motu case, a bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misraurged the protesting doctors to return to work. “Justice and medicine cannot go on strike,” Chief Justice said while dictating the order, Bar and Bench reported. Hearing mentions of various medical associations, the bench said no coercive action will be taken against doctors provided there is no protest after Thursday’s order.
The bench also observed political parties must not politicise the situation. The apex court said it will pass enforceable directions to union and state governments once the National Task Force submits its recommendations.
The Court directed the union health ministry to open a portal for anonymous submission of suggestions to the NTF. It also asked the union health secretary to meet with chief secretaries and DGPs of the states and ensure necessary safety measures are in place at hospitals. “The meeting should be held within a week and States take remedial measures within a period of two weeks” the bench ordered. The bench will next hear the case on September 5.
The trainee doctor's body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the hospital's chest department on August 9. A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police the following day for his alleged involvement in the incident. Thousands have been protesting against the police apathy and the state government's handling of the probe.
