New Delhi: Resident doctors at Delhi's AIIMS hospital have ended their strike and protests following the rape and murder of a colleague at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital earlier this month, media reports said.

The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) announced on Thursday afternoon that they called off the strike after receiving assurances from the Supreme Court, which had appealed to medical professionals nationwide to resume their duties, reported NDTV.

The Supreme Court on Thursday urged the junior doctors, who are protesting across West Bengal demanding justice for the 31-year-old post-graduate medical student's brutal rape and murder, to resume their duties, media reports said.

"Poor people cannot be left in lurch," said Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to prevent the crippling of the medical facilities.

The Supreme Court on Thursday resumed hearing on the RG Kar case that has sent shockwaves across the country, ignited public fury and brought the West Bengal government under fire over its alleged cover-up.

"If they are on duty, they will not be marked absent and if they are not on duty, then law will be followed. Ask them to first return to work, no one will take adverse action against any doctor. If there is difficulty after that, then come to us, but let them first report to work," the CJI said when an advocate appearing for resident doctors at AIIMS claimed protesting doctors have been marked absent.

The top court has assured the doctors' representatives that all their grievances and issues will be taken care of by the National Task Force.

"The committee will ensure all representatives are heard," said the top court.l,AIIMS