The high court in New Delhi has rejected a petition challenging a notice issued by the Delhi Medical Council (DMC), which mandates that allopathic doctors practicing in Delhi must be registered with the council. The court stated that registration under the DMC Act grants jurisdiction to the council to take disciplinary actions in cases of professional or ethical misconduct by medical practitioners in Delhi. The court emphasized that this regulatory oversight is in the public interest, allowing the State Medical Council to hold erring practitioners accountable and take disciplinary measures.
The decision was made in response to a public interest litigation filed by Dr. Namit Gupta, seeking to quash the December 24, 2023 public notice by the DMC. The notice requires mandatory registration for those practicing allopathy in Delhi and directs medical establishments to ensure the validity of DMC registration for doctors working within them.
The court dismissed the petition, noting a case where a non-registered doctor objected to the council’s jurisdiction despite administering treatment in Delhi. The court found no merit in Dr. Gupta’s contentions and highlighted the importance of registration to curb professional misconduct. Additionally, the court addressed concerns about inconvenience in transferring registration, stating that regulations provide a web portal-based procedure for transfers with a mechanism for deemed approval.
In conclusion, the court affirmed the validity of the notice issued by the DMC, stating it is consistent with the provisions of the Delhi Medical Council Act and does not conflict with the National Medical Council (NMC) Act. The consequence of registration empowers the DMC to take disciplinary actions in cases of misconduct by medical practitioners in Delhi.