PIL against doctors' strike seeks relief for kin of deceased patients

A public interest litigation has been filed by advocate Gunaratna Sadavarte against the doctors' strike called by Maharashtra Association of Gazetted Medical Officers (MAGMO). The PIL prays for compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased patients who did not receive necessary medical care because of the strike.

A division bench of justices Naresh Patil and Ravindra Ghughe has posted the PIL for hearing on Wednesday. The court, however, has not granted any interim relief to the petitioner.

Sadavarte in his PIL has sought directions to the state to invoke Maharashtra Essential Service and Maintenance Act against the striking doctors. The petition also prays for directions to the state to provide a list of patients who died and those who had to suffer irreparable damage because they did not receive medical care. The state should compensate them, the petition states.

Sadavarte said, "Innocents had to face hardship... the state has to take up the responsibility of ensuring that doctors don't go on strike again."

Around 12,000 doctors on strike, under the aegis of MAGMO, resigned on July 1 after talks with the state government failed. MAGMO wants 821 doctors to be made permanent and brought on the central pay scale.