 in the matter, questioning why the NMC should not provide authorized vehicle stickers to medical practitioners. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has been implicated by the Court in this connection.){kind=link}
The Madras High Court has granted interim relief to doctors, directing the police not to take any action against them for displaying their professional logos or stickers on private vehicles. The High Court bench has also involved the National Medical Commission (NMC) in the matter, questioning why the NMC should not provide authorized vehicle stickers to medical practitioners. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has been implicated by the Court in this connection.
Government’s Response and Court’s Intervention
The counsel for the government submitted a counter in compliance with the High Court’s directions, noting that the High Court had already directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to prohibit the misuse of stickers, logos, and emblems on private vehicles.
At this juncture, the HC bench intervened, with the judge observing that the police could not take action against genuine doctors. The court highlighted that doctors, who are duty-bound to respond to medical emergencies at any time, should be allowed to display their professional symbols or stickers on their private vehicles, as reported by DT Next.
Court’s Observations and Future Directions
While considering the matter recently, the HC bench barred the traffic police from taking action against doctors’ vehicles with stickers until the NMC and Tamil Nadu Medical Council submitted their responses.
The court suggested that the NMC and the state medical council should develop a policy for issuing authorized stickers and logos to doctors, similar to the Bar Council’s practice of issuing authorized stickers to enrolled advocates. By providing doctors with authorized stickers, they would be protected from police action for using unauthorized stickers.
The Court clarified that these stickers should be properly placed on the front and rear sides of the vehicle and not on the number plate. Additionally, the Court stated that police should stop and check suspicious vehicles with doctor stickers and take action against the misuse of such stickers.
Petitioner’s Argument
The counsel for the petitioner, S. Sathish, argued that doctors were not placing stickers on the number plates but only on the windshield of the vehicle. He asserted that this practice would ultimately benefit the general public, as doctors would be able to provide medical services to those in need of treatment.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 14, 2024.