The Central government promulgated Epidemic
Diseases Act amendment ordinance 2020 to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 to
make attacks on doctors and healthcare workers a cognizable and non-bailable
offence.
Whoever commits or abets the commitment of
violence against health care worker, shall be punished with imprisonment
ranging from 3 months to 5 years, and penalty ranging from Rs 50,000 to 2 lakh.
In case of a very serious attack, the
imprisonment may be for a minimum period of 6 months and maximum of 7 years,
with penalty ranging from Rs 1 lakh to 5 lakh.
As per the Ordinance, investigation into
the incidents of attacks on doctors and healthcare workers has to be conducted
by police officer not below the rank of inspector and shall be completed within
30 days from the date of registration of FIR.
Trial of these cases shall also be
conducted in a time-bound manner, and endeavors to be made to decide within one
year.
The Ordinance also provides that the court
shall presume that such person has committed such offence, unless the contrary
is proved.
The Ordinance states that in case of damage
to vehicles or clinics of doctors or healthcare workers, the perpetrators would
have to pay double the market cost of the damaged asset as compensation.
Upon failure to pay the compensation
awarded, such amount shall be recovered as an arrear of land revenue under the
Revenue Recovery Act, 1890
