Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: AIIMS Delhi has issued a stern warning to its resident doctors, cautioning them against organising any demonstrations on or near the hospital premises, citing that such actions violate High Court directives and could lead to contempt of court charges.
On Monday, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) at Delhi AIIMS initiated an indefinite strike, halting all elective and non-essential services, including outpatient departments (OPDs) and wards. The strike is in protest of the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata.
In response, the AIIMS administration directed all Heads of Departments and centre chiefs to submit daily attendance records of resident doctors by 3 p.m. Additionally, the administration issued an Office Memorandum, reminding all resident doctors of the Code of Conduct established by a Division Bench of the High Court in 2002.
The memorandum emphasised that any violation of the High Court order by individuals, students, employees, or groups—including Resident Doctors, Associations, and Unions—would result in disciplinary action and potential contempt of court charges.
The memorandum also referenced a subsequent High Court order from February 21, 2011, concerning strikes, protests, or demonstrations by AIIMS faculty, residents, interns, students, and paramedical staff. According to the order, AIIMS authorities are responsible for ensuring that no one within the institution engages in strikes, protests, or demonstrations, with violators facing disciplinary proceedings and contempt of court charges.
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The “Code of Conduct” was reiterated to all resident doctors, regardless of their rank, and to the various Unions/Associations representing them, to maintain campus peace and ensure the smooth operation of the institute. The code prohibits any employee or faculty member from ceasing academic activities, disrupting work, or participating in loudspeaker usage, slogan shouting, demonstrations, or dharnas within the campus. Protests are also forbidden within a 500-meter radius of the institute’s boundary, and all Trade Union activities must occur off-campus. Any violation of these rules will lead to disciplinary action.
The memorandum also cited a Supreme Court judgment in the case of Surjeet Singh vs. Punjab and Others, which upheld that the “right to life” under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution includes the right to receive medical treatment without interference or denial.
In light of this, the memorandum stated that no strike, dharna, demonstration, or gherao should take place at or around AIIMS.
The strike follows the discovery of a trainee doctor’s body, who was allegedly raped and murdered inside a seminar hall at RG Kar hospital in Kolkata on Friday morning. A civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime on Saturday. (With inputs from PTI)
