SC Asks Protesting Doctors To Return To Work, Assures No Coercive Action Against Them

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said that the doctors must resume their duties amidst ongoing protests over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at a Kolkata hospital.

The CJI said that "poor people cannot be left in the lurch" and that medical professionals must return to work to prevent disruption in public health services.

During the proceedings, a lawyer representing resident doctors at AIIMS Nagpur mentioned that the protesting doctors were being marked absent.

The Chief Justice responded, stating, "If they are on duty, they will not be marked absent, and if they are not on duty, then law will be followed. Ask them to first return to work, no one will take adverse action against any doctor. If there is difficulty after that, then come to us, but let them first report to work."

He further noted that in some instances, people wait as long as two years for doctors' appointments, reiterating the need for medical professionals to prioritise their duties.

In response to concerns about victimization raised by a lawyer representing doctors from PGIMER Chandigarh, the Chief Justice assured that "Once they get back to duty, we will prevail upon authorities to not take adverse action, else how will public health infrastructure run, if the doctors do not work."

The court assured that all concerns of the protesting doctors would be addressed by the National Task Force, which is responsible for making recommendations to improve doctors' working conditions and ensure their security.

The Chief Justice emphasized that the task force, which includes senior women doctors dedicated to public health infrastructure, would hear all relevant stakeholders, including interns, residents, senior residents, nurses, and paramedical staff, to ensure that "all representatives are heard."