Shortage of doctors in the country, medical seats should not be wasted; Strict instructions from the Supreme Court

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court on Friday emphasized the importance of ensuring no medical seats go vacant, particularly when the country is grappling with a severe shortage of doctors. A bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan directed the authorities to conduct a special round of counseling to fill the remaining vacant seats and complete the admission process for medical courses by December 30.

The court stated, "Considering the acute shortage of doctors in the country, precious medical seats should not be wasted. We are inclined to extend the timeline as a last opportunity." This directive came while hearing petitions requesting special counseling for unfilled seats after five rounds of counseling.

**Kolkata High Court Permits Protest Over Doctor’s Death**

In a separate development, the Kolkata High Court granted conditional approval to the Bengal United Forum of Doctors to stage a sit-in protest at Dorina Crossing in Esplanade from December 20 to 26. The protest is aimed at seeking justice for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old female medical postgraduate student from RG Kar Hospital, whose body was found on August 9.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh directed the protesting doctors to maintain a 50-foot distance from Dorina Crossing to avoid disrupting traffic on the busy road. The doctors approached the court after Kolkata Police initially denied permission for the demonstration.