August 22, 2024: The Chief Justice of India on Thursday appealed to the doctors protesting against the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata to return to work and assured them that no adverse action would be taken by the hospitals.

The bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justice JP Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, was hearing a batch of petitions related to the chilling crime that has shaken the nation.

“If they are on duty, they will not be marked absent and if they are not on duty, then law will be followed. Ask them to first return to work, no one will take adverse action against any doctor. If there is difficulty after that, then come to us, but let them first report to work,” the Chief Justice of India said.

The court assured the doctors’ representatives that all their concerns will be addressed by the National Task Force set up to make recommendations for improving doctors’ work conditions and ensuring their security.