North News

New Delhi, September 9

Despite Supreme Court directives to return to duty, junior doctors in West Bengal have vowed to continue their strike, demanding justice for an intern doctor who was raped and murdered. The protesting doctors are calling for the resignation of the state’s Health Secretary and the Director of Health Education (DHE). According to media reports, the striking medics plan to hold a rally at Swasthya Bhavan, the headquarters of the health department in Salt Lake, on Tuesday afternoon.

The Supreme Court on Monday directed protesting doctors in West Bengal to resume work by 5 pm tomorrow. Meanwhile the West Bengal government assured the court that no action, including punitive transfers, will be taken against doctors who return to duty.

This direction came while the Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu petition concerning the rape and murder of a doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College. The court also instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a fresh status report by the next hearing on September 17. The Supreme Court also mandated that necessary conditions for the safety and security of doctors in hospitals be implemented, including ensuring proper toilet facilities for both male and female staff. Furthermore, the court ordered the immediate removal of all photos of the victim from social media.

District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) in West Bengal were instructed to assess the situation to ensure the safety and security of government medical colleges across the state.