Doctors apprehend misuse of SC/ST Act

Kanpur, Feb 4 (PTI) With four medicos in privateclinics being booked under the SC/ST Act after patientsbelonging to dalit community died while undergoing treatment,doctors in the district have expressed apprehension that itcould set off a wrong trend.

Devendra Lal Chandani, Kanpur head of the IndianMedical Association, said that the doctors are afraid to takeup cases, especially when patients are being brought to themin critical condition, after the recent incidents.

"Four private doctors have been booked under theScheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention ofAtrocities) Act and Section 304 (culpable homicide notamounting to murder). A woman doctor even had to spend 45 daysin jail," he said.

Chandani said that the issue was being discussed byIMA members here. "We are trying to find a solution," he saidadding that there should not be any hasty move by police insuch cases.

"The government should also consider the issue andhelp find a middle way," he said.