'Protest Cannot Be at the Cost of Duty': Supreme Court Orders Striking West Bengal Doctors to Resume Work

The Supreme Court of India directed protesting doctors in West Bengal to return to work immediately. The protest followed the rape and murder of a postgraduate student at RG Kar Medical College. Chief Justice Chandrachud assured that doctors returning will face no adverse action and emphasized the need for their duty towards public health.

'Protest cannot be at the cost of duty,' the Supreme Court observed on Monday, directing West Bengal doctors to end their protest and return to work immediately. The protest was sparked by the rape and killing of a postgraduate medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud mandated that the doctors resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday, guaranteeing no disciplinary actions if they complied. The bench asserted that the West Bengal government must restore doctors' confidence in their safety, urging district collectors and SPs to ensure security in medical institutions.

Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing West Bengal, highlighted that ongoing protests had resulted in 23 deaths and disrupted healthcare services. The court condemned the delay in filing a FIR and the resulting chaos at the hospital. Following the horrific event, the investigation has been transferred to the CBI.

(With inputs from agencies.)