NEW DELHI:
The incidents of attacks on doctors working in government and private hospitals are increasing by the day. Now in order to curb such incidents and keep a check on rouge elements in society. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde has tabled a private members bill, with stringent measures to deal with people who commit acts of violence against doctors.
As per the Prevention of Violence against Doctors, Medical professionals, and Medical Institutions Bill, 2018: An act of violence against doctors, medical professionals or medical institutions shall be prohibited and mitigated at all levels.
Any offense committed under this Act shall be cognisable and non-bailable and triable by the court of Judicial magistrate of the first class.
Whoever, commits or attempts to commit or abets or incites the commission of any act of violence, shall be punished with imprisonment which shall not be less than six months, but which may extend upto five years and with fine which shall not be less than rupees five thousand but which may extend upto rupees five lakh in addendum to recovery of the entire damage to the property or belonging of all concerned.
If the accused does not pay or is financially incompetent to pay the penalty at that time, it shall be recovered as if it were an arrear of land revenue and any property or belonging to them or his relatives (as per the existing provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860), may be attached in recovery of the said penalty.
While speaking to My Medical Mantra MP Shrikant Shinde ‘The attacks on doctors are increasing day by day. If this continues then one day will come when doctors will not see the patients. Then what will happen? I have tabled the bill in the parliament demanded increase in the punishment.’
‘The attackers have backing or influence of someone. If the punishment and the fine is increased, it will deter people from attacking doctors’
While speaking about the private members bill, Dr Anil Pachnekar, National Vice President of Indian Medical Association, said, ‘The demand made by MP Shrikant Shinde is right. Because, a doctor is always looking at the interests of patients. However, death is not in the doctor’s hands. Yet still, the doctor is still held responsible for the death of the patient. There is a need for stringent punishment to imposed for people who attack doctors. live in this matter. Having harsher laws in place will see to it that people do not take the law into your hands.’
