The Supreme Court today pulled up the Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi over suspension of healthcare workers for exposing the poor state hospitals in the national capital. A three judges bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul and MR Shah said doctors and nurses were corona warriors and needed to be protected.
“Doctors, paramedics are warriors. The fight against this pandemic is like a war. They need support. But you are only interested in filing FIRs. Solution is not threatening doctors. We will not permit that to happen…” Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, one of the judges on the Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan, orally addressed the Delhi government side.
The top court asked the city government to file an affidavit in the case. The court will take up the matter for further hearing on Friday.
Justice Kaul referred to the suspension of an employee who shot a video about the “deplorable state of affairs” in LNJP Hospital, including the piling up of the COVID-19 dead.
“The person who shot the video has been suspended”, Justice Kaul remarked orally.
“You do not want the truth to come out”, Justice M.R. Shah interjected.
Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, for Delhi, agreed there was no point in shooting messengers.
“You are shooting messengers, doctors and paramedics”, Justice Kaul said.
Mr. Jain acknowledged that “everything is not hunky-dory”.
“We are not leaving anything to chance. We are very focussed on remedial measures for patient care, disposal of dead bodies and salaries… Our emphasis is on remedial measures… In capacity-building”, Mr. Jain assured the court.
