HC asks AAP govt, cops reply on doctors' security in Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 1: Delhi High Court today sought to know whether any steps had been taken by the AAP government and the police to ensure safety and security of the doctors in the national capital to prevent any assault on them.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath took strong cognizance of the instances of assault and attacks on doctors and demanded to know from the counsel appearing for Delhi Police Commissioner and Delhi Government if any FIRs have been registered in all these cases.

"There are several instances were doctors are beaten and manhandled. Have you (police and Delhi government) registered any FIR on the issue," the court said, adding that "please get instruction and come back".

The court also issued notice to Delhi government and Delhi Police Commissioner directing them to file their reply, including detailing the steps they have taken with regard to preventing such attacks and the details of the FIR's, if any, before September 9.

Medical services in Delhi were left crippled as over 15,000 resident doctors from 20 government hospitals went on an indefinite strike from June 22 to press for various demands, including heightened security for them in hospitals.

The strike was called off two days later. The court's direction came during hearing of a PIL filed by Indian Medical Association(IMA) Delhi North-Zone, which alleged that Delhi government and city police had failed to ensure safety and security of life and property of doctors in the national capital.

IMA's counsel Manav Gupta also contended that the issue of the security and safety of doctors, was of immense significance not only to the medical community but to society in general.

"If threat to doctors leads to a shortage of practicing doctors in government hospitals, public will be disadvantaged immensely. It is a matter of record that doctors were strained to go on a strike in the past week for inaction on the part of the respondents in assuring their safety.

"It is in the interest of the general public to ensure that such a situation does not arise again, for life and health of hapless citizens is at great risk in such a situation," the plea said.

PTI