7-Year Jail Term For Attack On Healthcare Workers During COVID Pandemic: Centre

New Delhi: Addressing concerns over attacks on health workers, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said such crimes will be non-bailable and attract jail term up to 7 years.

The government amended the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 via an ordinance that will allow imprisonment from 3 months to 7 years for the guilty.

Javadekar said the government will act “tough” against those who attack doctors and frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic.

“Such crime will now be cognizable and non-bailable. Investigation will be done in 30 days. Accused can be sentenced from 3 months to 5 years and penalised Rs 50,000 and the fine can go up to Rs 2 lakh,” he explained.

In serious cases,  the jail term will be 6 months to 7 years and fine from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, he said.

“Health workers who are trying to save the country from this epidemic are unfortunately facing attacks. No incident of violence or harassment, against them will be tolerated,” he added.

Also, if damage is done to vehicles or clinics of healthcare workers, a compensation amounting to twice the market value of the damaged property would be charged from the accused.