Doctors' Private Practice: HC petition seeks govt intervention

A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday, seeking its directive on the government to take necessary steps to completely stop private practice of government-appointed doctors.

Five Supreme Court lawyers collectively lodged the petition, challenging the legality of inaction of the authorities' part to stop private practice of government-appointed doctors during their work hours.

They prayed to the HC to direct the authorities to form a commission for introducing a guideline on private practice of the government-appointed doctors, and to conduct mobile courts to stop irregularities at government and private hospitals.

The petitioners also requested the court to issue a rule asking respondents to explain their inaction to stop private practice of government-appointed doctors during their office time should not be declared illegal and why they should not be directed to stop such practice.

This kind of malpractice is not just professional misconduct but also a legal offence, the petition said.