Jamshedpur, Oct. 11: The doctors? fraternity of the steel city is up in arms against district police for handcuffing their member while being produced in court after he was arrested on Friday.

The proprietor of Smriti Seva Sadan and Smriti Medical Centre, Sushil Sharma, was arrested for violation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1948.

This is the second incident in six months when a doctor was handcuffed after being arrested. Earlier this year, a government doctor, A.P. Singh, posted in a primary health centre at Nimdih, was handcuffed after he was arrested.

Singh was arrested on charges of negligence resulting in the death of a mother and child at the time of delivery in his private clinic. At a meeting of the executive committee of local chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA), the members decided to lodge a case against the district police for handcuffing a doctor.

IMA president Arun Kumar said the members were not against the arrest of any individual due to the violation of law. ?But we protest against the treatment given to a doctor by putting handcuffs,? he said.

The executive committee has decided to lodge a case against the police.

?The police seeks permission from the court to produce a criminal in shackles who has a record of escaping from custody. Why should the police, at the time of producing a doctor, who is ready to follow the law, use handcuffs?? said a member of the IMA. The members said the intention of Sharma was also clear, as he had already applied for the licence for the business according to the rules in 2002.

However, due to procedural delay, the licence was not obtained till date. Kumar said they have started consultation with senior lawyers.

?We are determined to end this practice of putting handcuffs and humiliate doctors,? he said. Kumar added that members have also started consultation with local human rights organisation to put up a strong case with the National Human Rights Commission to safeguard the dignity of the members.

The president of state chapter of IMA and executive committee has been apprised about the decision to lodge a case against the police.

They have also assured of all possible help and are ready to take up the issue with the chief minister and Union ministers in the larger interest of the fraternity, added Kumar.

The IMA state secretary said a doctors? delegation from the state capital will meet director-general of police (DGP) Shivaji Mahan Cairae.

The members will appraise the DGP of the treatment meted out to their members by the police.