Case File Against Doctors’ Strike in High Court, Alleging Violation of Supreme Court Orders
In response to the protest by junior doctors at RG Kar Hospital, who are demanding justice for the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor, a petition has been filed in the Kolkata High Court against their ongoing strike. The petition claims that the doctors are violating directives issued by the Supreme Court.
The junior doctors initiated their strike as a response to the incident that took place on August 9, when the body of the female doctor was discovered, leading to outrage and demands for justice. The protesting doctors have been advocating for several safety measures to be implemented within hospitals to protect healthcare professionals.
The case, brought forth by a director of a non-profit organization named Raju Ghosh, argues that the junior doctors have ignored previous orders from the Supreme Court to return to work, thereby committing contempt of court. Ghosh has urged the High Court to instruct the state government to take necessary actions to ensure the doctors end their strike.
During the proceedings, Ghosh’s lawyer, Arindam Das, emphasized that the doctors’ strike is illegal and should not continue. The High Court, presided over by Chief Justice T.S. Shivagnanam and Justice Hiranmoy Bhattacharya, has agreed to hear the case.
Despite some of their demands being met, the junior doctors have stated that they will continue their strike until all their conditions are satisfied. This protest follows a series of discussions with government officials, including a visit from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who personally requested the doctors to return to work.
Tensions flared again recently at Sagar Dutta Medical College over a patient’s death, leading to allegations of violence against nurses and junior doctors by the relatives of the deceased, which prompted the doctors to fully resume their strike.
