Bombay High Court disposes PIL of patients hit by doctors on strike

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday disposed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting the inconvenience caused to the patients due to the frequent strikes called on by resident doctors. A division bench headed by Justice Bhushan Gavai heard the PIL filed by activist Afak Mandaviya seeking prohibitory directions to resident doctors who often resort to strikes.

It may be recalled that the resident doctors working at various civic and government-run hospitals had went on indefinite strikes in the past causing inconvenience to patients. The doctors had taken such a step to condemn the frequent attacks by relatives of patients and also the harassment meted out to them by the hospital managements. This PIL has been heard time to time by various benches and several orders have been passed in this matter.

One such significant order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka, directing the government to set up a grievance redressal cell to oversee the grievances and problems of resident doctors. The bench of Justice Oka had also directed the government to deploy armed police officers at hospitals to ensure no doctors are attacked.

Having perused all the previous orders and the issue, Justice Gavai while disposing the matter said, “We have to be realistic in this matter since the strikes were called in 2014 and we are in 2018 now. We are of the opinion that no purpose would be served by keeping this PIL pending.”

“The grievance cell is already in place which is looking into the problems of doctors. We are of the view that if there is any breach of the orders by either of parties, then the aggrieved persons can approach this Court and report the breach,” Justice Gavai added.

One such significant order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka, directing the government to set up a grievance redressal cell to oversee the grievances and problems of resident doctors. The bench of Justice Oka had also directed the government to deploy armed police officers at hospitals to ensure no doctors are attacked.

Having perused all the previous orders and the issue, Justice Gavai while disposing the matter said, “We have to be realistic in this matter since the strikes were called in 2014 and we are in 2018 now. We are of the opinion that no purpose would be served by keeping this PIL pending.”

“The grievance cell is already in place which is looking into the problems of doctors. We are of the view that if there is any breach of the orders by either of parties, then the aggrieved persons can approach this Court and report the breach,” Justice Gavai added.