A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, expressed deep concern over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. It also ordered the formation of a 9-member task force to formulate procedures for workplace safety for doctors.
The Supreme Court also slammed the West Bengal government. Why was there a delay in registering the case when the post-mortem report was already out? He raised this question also. The top court also directed West Bengal to file a status report by August 22 on the status of the investigation into the mob attack on RG Kar Hospital and the status of the probe in the rape-murder case.
The Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force under its authority to suggest procedures for the safety of doctors at their workplaces. "It will have doctors from diverse backgrounds who will suggest practices to be followed across India so that there is a workplace safety scenario and young or middle-aged doctors are safe in their work environment," Chandrachud said.
Kolkata doctor rape and murder case: Who is in the National Task Force?
Surgeons Vice Admiral R Sarin, Dr D Nageswara Reddy, Dr M Srinivas, Dr G.S. Pratima Murthy, Dr. Govardhan Datt Puri, Dr. Saumitra Rawat
Prof. Anita Saxena, Head of Cardiology, AIIMS Delhi, Prof. Pallavi Sapre, Dean Grant Medical College, Mumbai, Dr Padma Srivastava, Department of Neurology, AIIMS are part of the task force.
Don't take action against protesters
The Supreme Court also asked the West Bengal government not to take any coercive action against the protesters. "Don't overpower peaceful protesters. We will deal with them very sensitively, "the court said. The top court said the safety of doctors and women doctors is a matter of national interest. "The country cannot wait for another rape to take some steps," it added.
Chandrachud also questioned the state over the vandalism at the hospital during the midnight protest on August 14. "A mob attacked the hospital. Damage to facilities was severe. What were the police doing? The police need to secure the crime scene first, "he said.