sc-advises-to-form-national-protocol-for-doctor-s-safety

The apex court was hearing a suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata amid the nationwide doctors' strike over it. 

 

The top court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a status report by August 22 on investigation in the Kolkata rape-murder case and West Bengal to file a status report by August 22 on progress of probe into mob attack on the RG Kar hospital.

 

Observing that working conditions have made doctors and health professionals susceptible to violence, the Supreme Court on Tuesday constituted a 10-member task force to formulate a national protocol for ensuring safety and facilities for them in the wake of the rape and murder of a medic in Kolkata.

 

The task force will submit its interim report within three weeks and the final report within two months.

 

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said protecting women doctors is a matter of national interest and principle of equality does not demand anything less.

 

The top court said the nation cannot await another rape for things to change on the ground.

 

It said there are legislations to protect medical professionals but they do not address the systemic issues.

 

SC directs CISF to provide security at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and hospital to enable doctors to resume work.

 

The ten members of the task force include surgeon Vice Admiral RK Sarian, Dr Reddy, Managing Director Asian Institute of National Gastrology, Dr M Srinivas, Director AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Prathima Moorthy, NIMHANS, Bangalore among others.

 

The bench said the cabinet secretary and the home secretary to the Union government shall be the ex-officio members of the national task force.

 

SC raps WB govt for delay in filing FIR

 

Terming the rape and murder case of a medic at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital as horrific, the Supreme Court today came down heavily on the West Bengal government over delay in filing FIR in the matter.

 

The top court slammed the West Bengal government over delay in filing FIR in the rape-murder case, and asked what were hospital authorities doing.

 

“It appears crime was detected in early hours, medical college principal tried to pass it off as suicide,” the bench comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra observed.

 

The bench rapped the Kolkata Police and asked how a mob of thousands entered the RG Kar Medical College.

 

When the conduct of the RG Kar Hospital’s principal was under scrutiny, how was he appointed to another college immediately, it asked.

 

The top court said the power of the West Bengal government should not be unleashed on protestors as its time of national catharsis.

 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said West Bengal should not be in denial mode and there was a complete failure of law and order in state.

 

He said a mob of 7,000 people cannot enter the hospital without knowledge of the Kolkata Police.

 

Key takeawya from apex court's verdict

 

1. SC urges striking doctors to call off their strike, saying their concerns are receiving the highest importance before the top court.

 

2. The court further asked the West Bengal government to refrain from “unleashing the power of the state” on peaceful protestors and others commenting on the incident.

 

3. The apex court directed the CBI to submit a status report on the probe on August 22.

 

4. The top court directed to form a 10-member national task force to make recommendations on prevention of violence and safe working conditions for medical professionals.

 

5. The task force has been asked to submit its interim report within three weeks from August 20, and the final report by two months thereafter.

 

6. The apex court orders CISF to provide security at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata.

 

7. SC says cannot wait another rape, murder for changes on ground’