A pall of gloom descended over the legal fraternity in Prayagraj on Monday after advocate Jagriti Shukla (23), who had sustained serious injuries in a road accident on May 20 and was allegedly assaulted by junior doctors at the SRN Hospital campus when she arrived for treatment, succumbed to her injuries at SGPGI, Lucknow, early Monday.
Incident Details
Shukla was rushed to the emergency wing of SRN Hospital by fellow lawyers after the accident. However, lawyers alleged that she was denied prompt medical attention and was subjected to rude behaviour by junior doctors, leading to a heated confrontation that escalated into violence on the hospital premises. She was later shifted to a private hospital and subsequently referred to SGPGI, Lucknow.
Lawyers' Protest
Following the news of her death, a group of lawyers blocked traffic on the busy Eklavya Road, demanding action against the doctors allegedly involved in the incident. Police diverted traffic to ease congestion caused by the road blockade.
Legal Community Reacts
Vishnu Pandey, former secretary of the High Court Bar Association (HCBA), told TOI that Shukla's condition deteriorated over the past two days before she breathed her last on Monday morning. He described her death as a shocking loss for the city and the legal community.
Background of the Standoff
The lawyer-doctor standoff triggered by the May 20 incident showed no signs of easing for nearly 48 hours, with both sides staging protests and sit-ins on May 21 and 22. Medical services at SRN Hospital were severely affected, disrupting emergency and outpatient care and leaving patients struggling to access treatment. Police and administrative officials remained on alert throughout the episode and made repeated but unsuccessful attempts to broker peace between the two groups.
Aftermath
Junior doctors had opposed the registration of an FIR against medical staff following the clash, while lawyers insisted on continuing their agitation until the accused doctor was arrested. The lawyers eventually called off their protest only after SRN Hospital authorities suspended 20 doctors.
