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The Calcutta High Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a fast-track hearing on the ongoing cease work agitation by junior doctors in West Bengal. The protest, sparked by the gruesome rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, has disrupted medical services and caused significant distress among the public.
The petition, filed by Raju Ghosh, director of a voluntary organization, argued that despite the Supreme Court's directive for junior doctors to resume their duties, the protest continued, violating the apex court's order. The petitioner also urged the Calcutta High Court to issue specific instructions to the West Bengal government to bring an end to the cease work protests. The petitioner's counsel stressed the urgency of the situation, highlighting the suffering of the common people due to the prolonged disruption in medical services.
However, the division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Bivas Pattanayak rejected the plea for a fast-track hearing, advising the petitioner to approach the vacation bench as the Calcutta High Court will be on recess during the festive season. This decision leaves the junior doctors' agitation unresolved, with their next course of action expected to be announced later in the day.
The junior doctors have been engaged in a series of meetings and deliberations with their senior colleagues, who have advised them to continue their protests while partially withdrawing the cease work agitation. However, the final decision on the next steps remains with the junior doctors. The ongoing protests highlight the deep sense of anger and frustration within the medical community over the lack of safety and security for their colleagues, demanding urgent attention and action from the authorities.
Source: Calcutta HC junks plea for fast-track hearing against junior doctors' cease work