New Delhi: The West Bengal government has come under intense scrutiny from the Supreme Court regarding its measures to enhance security in the state’s medical colleges following the brutal rape-murder of a 31-year-old at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
During a hearing on Tuesday, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal outlined the state government’s efforts to improve hospital security. However, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud questioned why contractual staff, rather than regular police officers, were assigned to security duties at the hospital. The Chief Justice also noted that Sanjoy Roy, the accused in the doctor’s rape-murder, was a civic volunteer with unrestricted access to the hospital.
The Chief Justice inquired whether the newly deployed security personnel were regular officers or contractual staff from the state government’s Rattirer Sathi (night companion) program, designed to protect women healthcare workers. Sibal confirmed that the personnel were indeed police officers and explained that the use of contractual staff was a temporary measure until regular officers could be assigned.
Supreme Court Questions West Bengal Government on Security Measures
The West Bengal government faced tough questions from the Supreme Court regarding its security measures at medical colleges following the brutal rape-murder of a 31-year-old at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal outlined the state government’s steps to enhance security at hospitals. However, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud questioned why contractual staff, rather than regular police officers, were assigned security duties at the hospital. He also highlighted that Sanjoy Roy, the accused in the rape-murder case, was a civic volunteer with unrestricted access to the hospital.
The Chief Justice inquired if the new security personnel were regular officers or contractual staff from the state’s Rattirer Sathi (night companion) program, which aims to ensure the safety of women healthcare workers. Sibal confirmed that they were police officers, but noted that contractual staff were being used as a temporary measure until regular officers could be deployed.
The Chief Justice remarked, “The crime was allegedly committed by a volunteer who was stationed at the hospital.” Sibal responded that the current security personnel were from a security agency hired by the state government, with thorough background checks conducted. The Chief Justice then asked if these personnel were undergoing psychological assessments, emphasizing that women doctors feel insecure due to the uncertain identity of these individuals.
Sibal mentioned that CISF personnel are currently stationed at RG Kar Medical College and that junior doctors, who are on strike, could return to work. However, the Chief Justice remarked that CISF deployment is temporary and emphasized the need for permanent measures. Sibal assured that the state government would make appropriate arrangements in the meantime.
The Chief Justice criticized the reliance on contractual staff for security, stating, “Entrusting security to contractual staff in hospitals, where people work 36-hour shifts, provides virtually no protection.” He also noted that despite having a police outpost in every hospital, there was a delay in filing the FIR.
Sibal offered to disband the Rattirer Sathi program if the court deemed it necessary, but the Chief Justice clarified, “It’s not about what the court wants; we are not in charge of governance.” The Chief Justice stressed that young medical students, especially women, are particularly vulnerable and need adequate protection in the state’s 45 medical colleges.
The bench acknowledged that the protesting doctors are not boycotting work out of pleasure but due to increased insecurity with the presence of contractual staff. The Chief Justice emphasized the importance of an SOP for installing CCTVs in key areas, including where female doctors rest and use bathrooms. Sibal confirmed that an SOP is in place.
The junior doctors have welcomed the Supreme Court’s observations, stating that relying on volunteers with minimal training for security is inadequate. They believe that the current arrangement of using contractual staff is unsuitable.
Contractual Security Staff Under Scrutiny
The August 9 rape-murder of a doctor at a Kolkata hospital and the arrest of a civic volunteer as the main suspect have raised concerns about this workforce. Civic volunteers, introduced by Mamata Banerjee after she came to power, were initially intended to assist regular police. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, there are now over 119,000 civic volunteers in Bengal.
The criteria for becoming a civic volunteer are basic: candidates must have completed at least Class VIII, be medically fit, and have no criminal record. There are no written tests, leading to allegations that political connections are enough for recruitment.
Sanjoy Roy, the primary suspect in the RG Kar case, was a civic volunteer who had unrestricted access to the hospital, despite not being a police officer. He was often seen with a ‘Kolkata Police’ sticker on his bike and t-shirt and stayed at police barracks.
BJP MLA Dipak Burman criticized the recruitment of civic volunteers, alleging that they are used for personal errands, extortion, and political activities. CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty also condemned the system, claiming that the lack of formal recruitment processes has led to a situation where civic volunteers have significant influence over the police, undermining the effectiveness of law enforcement.
