New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the case of rape and murder of a medical student at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and asked the protesting doctors to return to work, assuring them that they would not face any adverse consequences if they resumed work. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud asked how the public health infrastructure would function if the doctors did not return to work.

During the hearing of the case, CJI Chandrachud narrated one of his stories and said that he once slept on the floor of a government hospital when one of his relatives was unwell and was admitted to the hospital.

He narrated his story and urged the protesting doctors to return to work. The Supreme Court said that the health workers should be brought back to work and once they resume their duties, the court will urge the authorities not to take any adverse action.

The Supreme Court said if there was any difficulty after that, they should come to us, but first they should show up for work.

The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar room of the government hospital has sparked nationwide protests. The doctor’s body with severe injuries was found in the seminar room of the hospital’s pulmonary department on August 9.

The following day, a volunteer was arrested by the Calcutta police in connection with the case. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation from the Calcutta police to the CBI, which began its investigation on August 14.