High Court Declines Urgent Hearing For Plea Challenging Fresh Strike Called By Junior Doctors In West Bengal

The Calcutta High Court has declined an urgent hearing for a plea challenging a fresh strike called by junior doctors in West Bengal in response to the brutal incident of rape and murder of a resident doctor at RG Kar hospital. 

Junior doctors across the state had initially protested against the incident, demanding safety at the workplace and accountability of those running the institutions. After several directions by the Supreme Court, and assurances by the State government, they resumed work after almost a month on strike. 

However, upon observing that the changes and provisions of security promised by the state health department had not been fulfilled, the junior doctors once again resumed their casework protest after convening a general body meeting.

Before the Supreme Court, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising appearing for the junior doctors had told CJI DY Chandrachud that they were only carrying out essential and emergency services at present.

At today's hearing, the counsel appearing for the petitioner who challenged the fresh strike called by the junior doctors tried to impress on the division bench presided over by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam that the strike called by the junior doctors was once again impairing the healthcare system and thus had to be stopped.

However, the Chief Justice stated that there was no urgency in the matter and directed the petitioner to approach the vacation bench.