SC urges doctors to resume work, says there will be no victimisation

Asks Centre, states to take urgent steps for safety of doctors

The Supreme Court on Thursday made a fervent appeal to protesting doctors across the country to return to work, while simultaneously issuing a scathing rebuke to the Kolkata Police for their handling of a recent rape and murder case involving a woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital. The court’s intervention comes amid widespread protests by medical professionals over safety concerns following the tragic incident.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, heard a suo motu case related to the crime. The bench, which also included Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, emphasised the critical nature of medical services, stating: “justice and medicine cannot be stopped.” The court assured the protesting doctors that it was issuing necessary directions to ensure their safety and that no coercive action would be taken against them.

Addressing the protesting doctors directly, the bench said: “We direct the secretary of the Union Ministry of Health to engage with the chief secretaries of the states and directors general of police to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.” The court ordered that this exercise be completed within a week.