The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centrein a petition seeking measures for the protection of medical professionals inthe country. The petition was filed by Association of Healthcare ProvidersIndia (AHPI) that sought a Central law to protect doctors against attacks andviolence in hospitals, medical facilities, and clinics.

It may be mentioned here that the development cameclose on the heels of brutal killing of Dr Deben Dutta at Teok Tea Estate inJorhat on August 31.

The SC bench consisting of Justices NV Ramana and AjayRastogi issued notice on the petition and asked the Centre to respond. The AHPIin its petition stated that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had drafted amodel law, which proposed a 10-year jail term and a fine of Rs 5 lakh for actsof violence committed against doctors and healthcare professionals.