Allahabad High Court Seeks Permanent Solution to Repeated Strikes by Government Doctors; Four-Point Probe Ordered in Jagrati Shukla Death Case
By Rajesh Pandey
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has observed that the recurring problem of strikes by government doctors requires a permanent and effective solution.
While hearing matters connected to the death of advocate Jagrati Shukla and the clash between lawyers and doctors at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital, the court stressed that disruptions in public healthcare services cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.
The court was informed that Jagrati Shukla, a resident of Jhunsi, suffered serious injuries on May 20 after her scooter was hit by a car while she was on her way to the High Court.
Allegations of medical negligence during her treatment at SRN Hospital subsequently triggered a major controversy, leading to violent confrontations between members of the legal and medical fraternities.
In protest, doctors suspended medical services, while lawyers also staged demonstrations.
Following the registration of a criminal case against doctors allegedly involved in the incident, the administration of Motilal Nehru Medical College placed 20 doctors under suspension.
Jagrati Shukla was later referred to SGPGI, Lucknow, where she passed away on June 8 after battling her injuries for eight days.
Her death reignited protests by lawyers in Prayagraj, while doctors once again resorted to a strike. Senior Resident Dr Mohnees Ali, who was alleged to have been involved in the altercation, was also taken into police custody in Rampur.
Authorities have requested that the Judicial Commission submit its report in a sealed cover by September 30, 2026.
During an extensive hearing on Wednesday, a Division Bench comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi directed that the National Medical Commission be impleaded as a party in the proceedings.
The court further warned that any advocate, doctor or hospital employee found violating its orders would face contempt proceedings.
Significantly, the bench directed the National Medical Commission to consider measures that would prohibit strikes by government doctors and medical staff across Uttar Pradesh.
The court remarked that repeated shutdowns of healthcare services in government hospitals adversely affect ordinary citizens and require a long-term institutional remedy.
The High Court also directed the police to continue the investigation into the events of May 20 and regularly update the inquiry officer on its progress.
The District Magistrate, Police Commissioner, Chief Medical Officer, Principal of the Medical College and the Medical Superintendent of SRN Hospital have been authorised to take all legally permissible steps to ensure that hospital services function normally and that traffic and public order in the city remain unaffected.
The Judicial Commission has been tasked with examining four crucial issues. It will determine whether Jagrati Shukla’s death was caused by medical negligence, identify responsibility for the confrontation between doctors and lawyers, assess the role of police personnel deployed at the trauma centre during the incident, and evaluate what measures should be adopted to ensure uninterrupted emergency medical services in similar situations in the future.
The High Court also made it clear that ordinary citizens should not suffer because of conflicts between influential professional groups such as doctors and lawyers.
It emphasised that every possible legal measure must be taken to prevent such disputes from disrupting public services or harming the interests of common people.
