The Delhi High Court on Tuesday restrained the AIIMS Nurses Union from continuing with their strike. The single judge bench of Justice Navin Chawla while hearing the petition through video conferencing stated, “Keeping in view the submissions and assurances made by AIIMS that it would look into the grievances of the respondents (nurses), this union is restrained from continuing the strike.”   

The petition has been filed by All India Institute of Medical Sciences through Advocate V.S.R. Krishna alleging that the strike was illegal and violates the Industrial Disputes Act.

AIIMS has also contended that the strike in question also violates the court’s earlier order in case of “Court on its own motion Vs All India Institute of Medical Sciences (WPC 5166/2001)”, which prohibits the AIIMS employees from involving in any such activity.

The petitioner contended that the indefinite strike by nurses per se is not in public interest & also illegal given the fact that the grievances of the Nurses Union are already under consideration by the AIIMS Management and Assistant Labor Commissioner in addition to the Nurses having other efficacious remedies at their disposal. 

The petitioner submitted it is an institute of National Importance and established under the All India Medical Sciences Act, 1956. It discharges a dual function of providing medical science education as well as in the premier hospital of the country. As such the services and work carried at AIIMS is for great public importance and that AIIMS is discharging a public utility function. 

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Nurses of AIIMS declared an indefinite strike on Monday due to their pending demands, including the implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission. The bench has listed the matter for further hearing on January 18.