SC Orders Protesting Doctors to Resume Work by Tuesday

SC Orders Protesting Doctors to Resume Work by Tuesday

Asif Iqbal | September 10, 2024 | 08:28 AM IST | Courts & Law, India, Protests | Follow on Google News

SC Orders Protesting Doctors to Resume Work by Tuesday

SC Orders Protesting Doctors to Resume Work by Tuesday

India’s Supreme Court ordered all doctors protesting over the rape and murder of a female medic last month to resume work by Tuesday, warning they may face “adverse action” if they failed to adhere to the deadline.

Hundreds of doctors nationwide have stayed off work as they demand justice for the woman, whose body was found on Aug. 9 in a classroom at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, in the eastern state of West Bengal, where she was a trainee.

A police volunteer was arrested for the crime and federal police said last week that the former principal of the college had also been arrested for alleged graft.

Doctors have also been demanding better amenities in government-run hospitals, which they say lack security and basic infrastructure such as resting spaces for staff.

The Supreme Court on Monday said that no adverse action would be taken against doctors who returned to work by Tuesday evening.

The resident doctors cannot be oblivious to the needs of the general community whom they are intended to serve,” said Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, heading a three-judge bench of the court.

The court also directed the West Bengal government to take steps to assure doctors of their concerns being addressed, including by providing separate duty rooms and toilets for male and female personnel, and installing CCTV cameras.

Demonstrations over the attack spread beyond India’s borders over the weekend, as thousands of diaspora Indians protested in more than 130 cities across 25 countries, including Japan, Australia, Europe, and the U.S.

The court, which took up the matter of its own accord following outrage over the incident, had earlier formed a hospital safety task force to recommend steps to ensure the safety of medical workers.

Women’s rights activists say the incident has highlighted how women continue to face sexual violence in India despite tougher laws being introduced after the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a woman in a moving bus in Delhi.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by VoM News staff and is published from syndicated feed)

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.