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The Chief Justice of India on Thursday appealed to the doctors protesting against the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata to return to work and assured them that no adverse action would be taken by the hospitals.
"Let them all return to work... we will pass some general order. Once doctors resume duties, we will prevail upon authorities to not take adverse actions. How will public administrative structure run if they don't resume work?" Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said.
At the outset of the hearing, the Chief Justice-led bench was told by the counsel for resident doctors of AIIMS Nagpur that they were being victimised for protests over the Kolkata rape-murder case. The counsel for resident doctors of PGI Chandigarh claimed the casual leaves of medics were being deducted for the protests.
"If there is difficulty after that, then come to us, but let them first report to work," the Supreme Court bench said.
The nationwide protest by resident doctors entered the 11th day on Thursday, affecting patient services in several hospitals. Doctors are seeking the implementation of the Central Protection Act for the safety and security of healthcare professionals.
The Chief Justice also said the national task force set up by the court would consult all stakeholders, including the resident doctors, before suggesting guidelines on the safety of doctors at their workplaces.
The Supreme Court also took note of the long duty hours of resident doctors at public hospitals. The Chief Justice said he had himself once slept on the floor of a hospital.
The Kolkata trainee doctor was raped and killed at RG Kar Hospital's seminar room where she had gone to rest after a gruelling 36-hour shift.
"There is a hierarchical nature in public hospitals and junior doctors are susceptible to different kinds of harassment and not just sexual harassment. We have been flooded with email...48 or 36 hours of duty is not good," the CJI said.
"Please assure the doctors that we know they are working for 36 hours... I have personally slept on the floor of a public hospital when one of my family members was not well," he said.
