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The High Court said that baseless targeting of doctors can adversely affect the public interest. The court made the remarks while setting aside a decision to temporarily remove the name of a radiologist from the medical register following the death of a 21-year-old female patient.
Justice C Hari Shankar emphasized that grave negligence should be dealt with strictly, as a scalpel cannot be operated with a shaking hand. Striking off a doctor’s name from the Indian Medical Register not only kills his career, but also has wider family and social ramifications.
The court, while hearing the radiologist’s plea against the Medical Council of India (MCI) order, directed the removal of his name for three months. He added that the council has dropped the charge of medical negligence against him and he has not been charged with any other charges.
In case of falsification of records, the conviction cannot be sustained in law. However, it is true that conduct that falls below the minimum medical standard or displays serious disregard for the welfare of a patient must be dealt with seriously.
The court said that it is equally true that a knife cannot be used with a trembling hand. The court, in an order passed on July 3, said the baseless targeting of doctors without regard to consequences is ultimately going to have a serious adverse effect on the public interest.