HC notice to Delhi government, police on security to doctors

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the city government and police on a petition seeking direction to ensure adequate safety of doctors in hospitals in the national capital.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath asked the Delhi government and Delhi Police to file status reports on the issue, also stating whether any police complaints were registered over attacks on doctors.

"Issue notice to Delhi government and police. Status report to be fled by them indicating the steps taken," the bench said, posting the matter for September 9.

The public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Indian Medical Association's Delhi North Zone unit through advocate Manav Gupta highlighted recent incidents of violence against doctors in hospitals and sought security for them.

Despite the government's assurance of providing adequate security at state-run hospitals, several cases of assaults on doctors have been reported, said the plea.

"Direct respondents (Delhi government and police) to provide adequate security to doctors, in the nature of five police officers in each small medicare institution/hospital and 10 police officers in each large medicare/hospital, in a time bound manner," said the plea.

Resident doctors of 22 government hospitals in Delhi went on strike on June 22-23 seeking security and better healthcare facilities.