The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will constitute a 10-member task force to formulate a national protocol for ensuring the safety, and facilities of doctors. While hearing the horrific rape and murder case of Kolkata doctor, the SC also urged the agitating doctors to have faith in the apex court and return to work. Taking the West Bengal government and RG Kar Hospital authorities, the SC questioned the delay in filing the FIR and the hurry of reappointing the principal to some other hospital. The Supreme Court has asked for status report of investigation from the CBI and has also sought report from West Bengal government on the ruckus at the RG Kar hospital. The next hearing will be on August 22.
The Supreme Court handed over the security of hospital to CISF. "We see that Bengal Police is unable to provide security to the hospital due to RG, hence its security should be handed over to CISF. Chief Justice said that West Bengal Police should take seriously the questions being raised against it. The CISF will also provide security where the resident doctor lives."
Taking a strong stance on Kolkata Police's stance, CJI Chandrachud questioned, "Until late night there was no FIR... Did FIR say it was a murder?"
The CJI also expressed anguish over the circulation of photo, and video of the deceased. "The protocol cannot be on paper but is enforceable across India. Regarding Kolkata, we are deeply concerned that the name of the victim and the photo, and video of the deceased is published all across the media.. the graphic shows her body which was after the incident.. there are judgments of the court which say names of sexual survivors cannot be published," he said.
"Why we decided to take suo motu though high court was hearing it because this is not just a case of a horrific murder in Kolkata hospital.. but this is about systemic issue about the safety of doctors across India. On safety we are deeply concerned that there is virtual absence for safe conditions for doctors working in hospitals, women doctors, resident and non-resident doctors and the women docs who are more vulnerable.. the young docs have to put in long hours.. no separate rest and duty room for men and women doctors and we need to evolve a national consensus for a standard national protocol for safe conditions of work. ultimately what is equality under the constitution if women cannot be safe in their workplace," he added.
The suo motu cognisance of the case, titled "In Re: Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, and related issue", assumes significance in view of the fact that Calcutta High Court is already in action and has transferred the probe into the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
On former Principal's role
On former principal's role, CJI said, "How did the principal try to pass this off as a suicide. The body was passed to parents in the evening for cremation.. The next day doctors protested and a mob invaded the hospital and critical facilities were damaged and what was Kolkata Police doing? The crime scene is in the hospital. Police has to protect the crime scene...what are they doing"
The SC further said that it will constitute a 10-member task force to formulate national protocol for ensuring the safety, and facilities for doctors.
The bench rapped the Kolkata Police and asked how a mob of thousands entered the RG Kar Medical College. When the conduct of the R G 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.
