Kolkata doctor murder hearing: SC asks protesters to return to work by 5 pm tomorrow; warns of disciplinary action

PTC News Desk: Supreme Court on Monday asked the protesting doctors to return to duty by 5 pm Tuesday, saying that protests cannot continue at the cost of duty.

Referring to the doctors' protest following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated that if the doctors do not return to work, the state government can take disciplinary action against them.

CJI Chandrachud stated that if the doctors return to work by 5 p.m. tomorrow, no further action will be taken against them.

"We want to ensure that doctors resume work and we will give them safety, security... but they have to join work. When we said that no adverse action shall be taken against the doctors...Mr (Kapil) Sibal states that no action, including punitive transfers, should be there," the apex court said.

When the doctors' counsel requested three days, the CJI responded that he had already given them two days.

"If the doctors report for duty on or before 5 pm tomorrow then no adverse disciplinary action shall be taken against them. all complaints on safety and security shall be promptly attended to. However, if there is continuous abstaining from work then disciplinary action can be taken against them and they cannot be oblivious to the general concerns of the community whom they are intended to serve," CII said.

He further stated that the West Bengal government should take the initiative to instil confidence in the minds of the protesting doctors.

"District collectors and police chiefs shall take a look into the situation and ensure necessary conditions are created for ensuring safety and security of doctors of government medical colleges and hospitals, which include the creation of restrooms for male and female doctors, installation of CCTVs," the SC said.