The Supreme Court is currently hearing the case of the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Following widespread protests and a directive from the Calcutta High Court for the CBI to take over the investigation, the apex court has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. Below are the latest developments:
Next Hearing Scheduled for August 22 The Supreme Court has set the next hearing for August 22, where the CBI is expected to present its report on the investigation and the vandalism at the hospital. The West Bengal government is also required to submit a report on the mob violence.
♦ Supreme Court Orders Enhanced Security at RG Kar Hospital The Supreme Court has directed the CISF to provide increased security at RG Kar hospital following the recent vandalism by a mob. The court's decision aims to protect the hospital, which was the site of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor.
♦ Chief Justice Criticises Delay in Safety Reforms Chief Justice DY Chandrachud expressed frustration over the lack of progress in safety reforms, stating,
"The nation cannot wait for another rape for things to change on ground." He emphasised the need for better protection and institutional safety standards for medical professionals, noting, "
As more and more women join the workforce, the nation cannot wait another rape for things to change on the ground."
♦ SG Tushar Mehta Critiques FIR Approach Solicitor General Tushar Mehta criticised the approach of filing multiple FIRs, saying,
"Filing 50 FIRs is more of a recipe for ‘not’ investigating."
This comment came during discussions on the effectiveness of the ongoing investigation into the vandalism.
♦ CJI Requests Data Collection on Hospital Security Chief Justice Chandrachud has instructed states to collect and submit detailed data on hospital security and accessibility. He stated, "States are supposed to submit a report in one month," regarding the collection of information on security personnel and hospital accessibility.
♦ Focus on Enforcement of POSH Act The Supreme Court has mandated the national task force to ensure the enforcement of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act in all medical institutions. The court noted,
"The act not only applied to doctors but also students undergoing internship, junior residents, senior resident doctors, as well as nurses."
♦ Supreme Court Sets August 22 Deadline for CBI Status Report
During the ongoing Supreme Court hearing on the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasised that
"the nation cannot wait for another rape for things to change on the ground."
He highlighted the vulnerability of women in medical professions due to patriarchal biases and inadequate institutional safety measures.
The court also ordered all states to gather data on hospital security personnel and infrastructure, with a report due within a month. Additionally, the CBI and the West Bengal government must submit their respective reports on the RG Kar hospital incident and related vandalism by August 22.
→ National Task Force to Submit First Report in Three Weeks
The Supreme Court's newly formed National Task Force (NTF) is expected to submit its first report within three weeks. The report will include suggestions on ensuring the safety of doctors and other medical professionals, with a focus on the enforcement of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The task force, consisting of 10 members from various medical and administrative backgrounds, has been tasked with developing a national protocol for preventing gender-based violence in medical settings.
For more on National Task Force, click - What or Who makes the National Task Force Constituted by the Supreme Court?
♦ CBI to Conduct Polygraph Test on Accused Sanjoy Roy
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been granted permission to conduct a polygraph test on Sanjoy Roy, the primary accused in the rape and murder of the doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The polygraph test is part of the ongoing investigation, which the CBI took over from Kolkata Police. The accused's involvement in the crime, including any possible accomplices, is under scrutiny as the investigation progresses.
♦ National Task Force to Formulate Safety Protocol
A 10-member National Task Force has been constituted by the Supreme Court, led by surgeon-major R.P. Sarin, to develop a national protocol for ensuring the safety of doctors and healthcare staff in hospitals. The task force is expected to submit an interim report within three weeks and a full report within three months.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud noted,
"We know they are all intern, resident doctors and most importantly woman doctors....most of the young doctors are putting in 36 hours ....we must evolve a national protocol to ensure safe conditions of work are provided."
♦ SC on RG Kar Hospital Vandalism
The Supreme Court directed the West Bengal government to ensure that those responsible for the attack on RG Kar Hospital are arrested and that an FIR is filed against them.
♦ SC Criticises Kolkata Police for Delay in FIR Registration
The Supreme Court expressed grave concern over the delay by Kolkata police in registering an FIR 12 hours after the incident. The bench highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that the delay likely compromised critical evidence.
Justice JB Pardiwala remarked,
"Such negligence in cases of this magnitude is unacceptable. It not only hampers the investigation but also diminishes public trust in law enforcement."
♦ Court Expresses Concern Over Media Coverage
The Supreme Court expressed deep concerns over the victim's name being published in the media. The court stated,
"We are deeply concerned of the fact that the name of the victim has been all over the media, the photographs and videos are all over the media, this is extremely concerning… Is this the way we provide dignity to the young doctor who has lost her life?"
♦ SC Seeks Status Report from CBI by Thursday
A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, requested a status report from the CBI on the investigation by Thursday. The bench criticised the West Bengal government for appointing the principal of RG Kar Medical College as the head of another hospital immediately after the incident, raising concerns about possible tampering with evidence or witnesses.
♦ SC Terms Incident ''Horrific''
The Supreme Court termed the RG Kar rape-murder incident as “horrific” and underscored the urgent need for a standardised procedure to ensure the safety of doctors across the country. The bench also criticised the Kolkata police for their inaction and delay in investigating the case, which allowed a mob to vandalise the hospital.
"This is a failure of both law and order and moral responsibility," said Justice Misra.
♦ CJI: ‘If Women Are Not Safe at Work, We Deny Them Equality’
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasised the importance of ensuring safe working conditions for women, stating,
"If women are not able to go to work and conditions are not safe, we are denying them equality."
The Supreme Court began its hearing on the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case. The case, which the court took suo motu cognizance of on Sunday, involves the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The CJI, during the initial remarks, stressed the importance of quick and impartial investigations in such cases to prevent further erosion of public trust.
West Bengal Governor in Delhi
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has arrived in Delhi to discuss the case with President Droupadi Murmu and other national leaders. He has promised to ensure justice and expressed solidarity with the protesters.
CBI Continues Investigation
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continued its probe into the alleged rape and murder case. The agency is considering a polygraph test for the apprehended suspect, who is a staff member at the hospital. On August 18, the CBI team carried out 3D laser mapping in the emergency ward of RG Kar Medical College, aiming to reconstruct the sequence of events. A senior CBI official noted, "We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure justice is served."
Junior Doctors in Bengal Continue Protests
The ongoing strike by junior doctors in West Bengal has severely impacted healthcare services across the state. The doctors, demanding justice for their colleague and better security at workplaces, have refused to return to work until their demands are met. A protestor at the RG Kar Medical College stated, "The agitation will continue till our sister gets justice. We also want security at workplaces." The protests have drawn support from medical professionals nationwide, with the Indian Medical Association backing the strike.
For more information, click CJI Chandrachud takes up suo moto on RG Kar Case starting 20th Aug
Delhi Medical Association Seeks Inclusion in Case
The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has requested to be included as a party in the Supreme Court’s suo motu case concerning the incident. The DMA has called for the formation of a national committee to develop a module for protecting doctors and medical service personnel from violence. The DMA's president stated, "This is not an isolated incident. The safety of healthcare workers is a national concern, and we must address it comprehensively."
Inputs by Agencies
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