The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday directed hospitals, including Delhi’s AIIMS, to regularise the unauthorised absence of doctors who participated in protests against the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August last year.
SC’s Clarification on Regularisation of Doctors’ Absence
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar took note of concerns raised by a doctors’ body. The petitioners pointed out that while some hospitals had regularised the absence following the court’s August 22, 2024, order, others—including AIIMS Delhi—had treated the period as leave of absence, which could affect medical post-graduate students.
Clarifying the court’s stance, CJI Khanna stated, “If protesting workers had joined work post the Supreme Court order, their absence shall be regularised and not treated as absence from duty.” However, the court also noted that this decision was made under the specific circumstances of the case and would not serve as a legal precedent.
Government’s Response
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, assured that hospitals would comply with the Supreme Court’s directive. He noted that while some AIIMS branches, such as Kalyani and Gorakhpur, and PGI Chandigarh had already regularised the absence, others had treated the protest period as leave.
RG Kar Murder Case Verdict
The protests stemmed from the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2023. Following a trial, on January 20, 2024, the Sealdah sessions court sentenced Sanjay Roy, the sole convict, to rigorous life imprisonment till the end of his natural life.
The Supreme Court’s directive is seen as a relief for the protesting doctors, ensuring that their participation in the demonstrations does not affect their careers or academic progress.
Sources By Agencies
