PIL seeks criminal action against protesting doctors

A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in High Court of Karnataka, seeking   direction to the state government to make arrangements for medical service during the state-wide medical strike by doctors that begins from Thursday.

On Thursday over six hundred private clinics will be closed and 22,000 doctors from across the state will go on strike as mark of protest against the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill .

The petition filed by Amruthesh N P , an advocate, seeks immediate restoration of medical assistance and services to patients across the state in all the private medical establishments for the welfare of the public.

The petition also seeks invocation of Essential Maintenance Services Act 1968 (ESMA) for banning the strike.

The petitioner has highlighted the fact that already 10 deaths have occurred as a result of the ongoing strike . He also stated that denial of right to medical assistance to the citizens is violation of fundamental rights.

THE PIL also seeks invocation of stringent action on the medical associations participating in the strike and declaring the strike as illegal and unconstitutional. The petition also demands initiation of criminal action against the doctors and private medical establishments for denying medical services to the needy patients in the state.

The petitioner has also stressed on the need for beginning a strong dialogue between the state government and the medical associations for an effective cooperation.  

A similar petition has been filed by D V Adinarayana Shetty, a resident of Nelamangala seeking issue of directions to the state government to make immediate arrangements for timely treatment and medical care during the strike.