Kolkata doctor rape-murder: AIIMS, other hospital doctors call off strike after SC assurance

Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Resident doctors at AIIMS Delhi, Indira Gandhi Hospital (IGH), Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML), Lady Hardinge Medical College and other hospitals announced on Thursday that they were ending their 11-day strike, which had been initiated in protest against the rape and murder of a medical professional in Kolkata, following an appeal from the Supreme Court.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court requested the doctors to return to work, assuring them that no negative actions would be taken upon their return.

“We are resuming duties in response to the Supreme Court’s appeal, assurances, and intervention in the RG Kar incident concerning the safety of doctors. We appreciate the court’s actions and urge adherence to its directives. Our priority remains patient care,” said the Resident Doctors’ Association of AIIMS, New Delhi, in a post on X.

The resident doctors’ association of RML Hospital issued a statement indicating that “considering the Supreme Court’s intervention and the progress made in addressing their demands,” they would resume duties from 8 AM on Friday.

Also Read: Delhi: Patients, kin suffer as doctors’ protests paralyse city hospitals

The strike is being suspended following the Supreme Court’s suo motu cognizance of the case and the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the statement added.

Speaking to Patriot, Dr Manish Jangra, the chairperson of FAIMA, highlighted that the decision to call off the strike was taken after consulting with all Resident Doctor’s Associations and other stakeholders.

“We have taken our decision after due consideration keeping each RDA from across the board  in the loop. Our decision might disappoint few of our stakeholders. But we are sorry to say that our decision was democratic and according to what the majority of shareholders decided. follow democracy we believe in democracy”.

Resident doctors of Lady Hardinge Medical College also have resumed their work.

In a statement issued on X, the resident doctors of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Hospital have also announced that they have ended their strike, following the Supreme Court’s intervention.

The assault and murder of the junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital triggered nationwide protests. On August 12, resident doctors’ associations launched a nationwide protest, halting outpatient department (OPD) services, while emergency services remained operational.

The junior doctor’s body was recovered on August 9 with severe injury marks in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital’s chest department. The next day, a civic volunteer was arrested by Kolkata Police in connection Kolkata doctor rape-murder case.

On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which began its probe on August 14.