(Reopens MES8)

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court today directed the government to initiate criminal proceedings against the doctors who had gone on strike. A division bench headed by acting Chief Justice K Sreedhar Rao, on a suo motu petition, directed the government to initiate criminal proceedings against the doctors who had gone on strike under various sections of the IPC including 214, 304(A) and 291. The court earlier ordered issue of notice to the state government represented by the Chief Secretary and the Minister for Health and Family Welfare and directed the government to file its report within two weeks. The court had yesterday taken cognisance of the strike by the doctors and para medical staff and initiated suo motu action against them.