New Delhi: Expressing deep concern at the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case and safety of doctors across the country, the Supreme Court on Tuesday remarked that “the nation cannot await another rape or murder to make changes on the ground on the safety of medical professionals.”
Case raises systemic issues on safety of doctors across India: Apex court
The court also said, “The case is not just a matter relating to one rape and murder in Kolkata, but raises systemic issues on safety of doctors across India. On safety we are concerned that there is virtually absence of safe conditions in hospital and colleges for doctors, moreover, women doctors are subject to graver danger because of gender and working hours. Doctors and nursing staff have no duty rooms, rest rooms. We must evolve a national consensus on working conditions for doctors, its matter of creating safe conditions of work. Its not that every time a rape or murder takes place that these conditions of safety are maintained, protocols must be evolved and not just on paper but also be seen on ground.”
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwla and Justice Manoj Misra also expressed unhappiness with the Kolkata police and West Bengal government over the unexplained delay in filing a case or murder and rape in the incident.
What was Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital doing, apex court asked
The court also questioned the West Bengal government as to what was the Principal of the RG Kar medical college and hospital doing? It appears that an attempt was made to pass the murder as a suicide and the government appoints the principal to some place another.
The judges said, “It is the obligation of the authorities of hospital to register an FIR the moment they came to know of it. Why was there a delay?”
Judges also took exception to vandalism at hospital
The judges of the Supreme Court also took exception to vandalism at the RG Kar Medical college and Hospital on the night of August 14 and 15, where the emergency room of the hospital was invaded and destroyed. “A serious offence has taken place, crime scene has to be protect, and you allow vandals to enter hospital,” quipped the Supreme Court and added, “We cannot comprehend how the state was not able to deal with vandalism.”
The three-judges bench said that despite the fact that the case was being monitored by the Calcutta High Court they have decided to intervene in the matter as it concerns the medical fraternity across the nation.
The court has now called on the CBI to file a status report on its investigation in the case before the court before Thursday August 22.
The court has also set up a 10 member National Task Force headed by surgeon-major RP Sarin of Indian Navy to formulate a national protocol for ensuring safety and facilities to doctors and healthcare staff in hospitals, securing hospitals from unruly persons, adequate rest rooms and duty rooms for them.
The matter will be taken up for hearing by Supreme Court against on August 22.
