Telangana Doctor's Letter Petition Seeks SC Intervention Amid Surge in Attacks on Medical Professionals

New Delhi- In an alarming escalation of violence against medical professionals in India, Dr. Monica Gargvanshi, a BDS graduate from the Army College of Dental Sciences, Secunderabad, has filed an urgent letter petition with the Supreme Court of India.

This plea comes in response to a series of brutal attacks on healthcare workers, including the recent horrifying incidents at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The petition highlights several distressing events that have rocked the medical community:

1. Kolkata Tragedy (9th August 2024): A young doctor at a medical college in Kolkata was brutally raped and murdered. The incident, marked by its gruesome nature, has not only led to widespread public outrage but also exposed severe lapses in security measures for healthcare professionals. Protests erupted across West Bengal in response, but were met with further violence, including reports of goons destroying evidence and attacking demonstrators.

2. Uttarakhand Case: A nurse in Uttarakhand was raped and murdered while returning home from work, underscoring the vulnerability of female healthcare workers. This incident has further highlighted the urgent need for enhanced protection measures.

3. RG Kar Medical College Attack (14th August 2024): Unidentified miscreants, allegedly disguised as protesters, vandalized RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This attack, occurring shortly after the body of the murdered doctor was discovered, resulted in significant property damage, threats to the safety of students, faculty, and patients, and the destruction of crucial evidence.

Dr. Monica's counsel, Satyam Singh, provided detailed insights into the petition filed with the Supreme Court of India, addressing the rising violence against medical professionals.

Key points of the petition include:

1. Systemic Failures: The petition highlights the failure to ensure the safety of medical professionals, who undergo rigorous training and work diligently to save lives. The recent incidents are described as a direct attack on the nation's healthcare system, posing a severe threat to those dedicated to serving it.

2. Need for Central Forces Deployment: Dr. Singh has requested the deployment of Central Forces at RG Kar Medical College to restore security and order. The petition argues that specialized security personnel are essential to protect the institution and its staff, prevent further violence, and ensure uninterrupted medical services.

3. Judicial Oversight and Comprehensive Security Measures: The petition seeks the Supreme Court’s judicial oversight to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the attacks. It also calls for the implementation of comprehensive security protocols at medical institutions nationwide.

4. Constitutional Violations: The petition emphasizes that the attacks infringe upon fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, including the right to life and personal liberty (Article 21), the right to practice any profession (Article 19(1)(g)), and the right to equality before the law (Article 14).

5. Precedents and Guidelines: Reference is made to previous Supreme Court rulings that emphasized the protection of medical professionals and the need for immediate action in emergencies. The petition aims to build upon these precedents to advocate for stronger protections and guidelines for healthcare workers.