The Supreme Court on Thursday urged doctors protesting over the rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student in Kolkata to resume work, emphasizing that their roles, like those of judges, involve matters of life and liberty, which cannot be paused. The court reiterated that no coercive action should be taken against the doctors for past protests, provided they return to their duties immediately.

The case stems from the tragic rape and killing of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which has sparked nationwide outrage and protests. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, leading the bench, remarked, "Justice and medicine cannot afford to be stopped," stressing the essential nature of both professions.

During the hearing, counsel for the protesting doctors at AIIMS Nagpur expressed concerns about doctors being marked absent and excluded from exams due to their participation in the strike. The bench clarified that while it could not direct the administration to mark them present, it would urge leniency once they resumed work.

The court made a heartfelt appeal to the doctors to return to duty, emphasizing the impact on marginalized patients who rely on their care. It reassured the medical community that their safety and protection are of the highest priority, promising no punitive actions for prior protests if doctors promptly resume their responsibilities.

The Delhi Medical Association also informed the court about FIRs lodged against AIIMS doctors involved in the protests. Despite this, the bench insisted that the doctors needed to end their strike, which had already lasted 13 days, and get back to work.

On August 20, the Supreme Court had made a similar appeal, asking doctors across the country to end their strike and focus on their patients, affirming that the court was handling the matter at the highest level because of its national significance.

The horrific incident at the Kolkata hospital occurred on August 9, when the body of the junior doctor, bearing severe injuries, was discovered in the seminar hall of the hospital's chest department. The next day, a civic volunteer from Kolkata Police was arrested in connection with the crime. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI, which has since taken charge of the case.