The Allahabad High Court has ordered a judicial inquiry, led by retired Justice Arun Tandon, into the death of advocate Jagriti Shukla, who passed away while undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in a road accident.
The order case after the Allahabad High Court heard two public interest litigations.
The court directed doctors to end their strike, assuring that they would not be arrested.
The court also directed lawyers not to go on strike or block roads.
The order was given by a division bench comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi here on Wednesday.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 27.
During today’s hearing, a progress report and case diary were presented to the High Court. The lawyers suggested an inquiry by three retired judges.
A civil public interest litigation was filed in the High Court by advocate Mamta Singh and other women lawyers.
Women advocates have demanded an impartial investigation under the supervision of the High Court. They have also demanded that the footage of the assault at SRN Hospital be preserved.
The women advocates stated that advocate Jagriti Shukla died 18 days after the incident, but the investigating officer and magistrate did not even record her statement.
The second criminal PIL has been filed by Allahabad High Court Bar Association General Secretary Akhilesh Sharma and Vice President Amit Singh Sonu.
The criminal PIL demands an impartial and speedy investigation into the entire matter.
Deceased lawyer Jagriti Shukla was critically injured in a road accident in Prayagraj on May 20 and was brought to the Medical College Hospital for treatment. A clash subsequently broke out between junior doctors and lawyers after the latter alleged that the medical staff was not providing adequate care to Jagriti. Later, the doctors went on strike after the police registered a case against them.
On the other hand, Jagriti was shifted to SGPGI Lucknow as her condition deteriorated, but she succumbed early this week. After her death, lawyers started protesting and blocked roads in Prayagraj, demanding action against the doctors.