New Delhi: The shocking rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, which has reverberated across the nation, has now reached the Supreme Court. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, is currently hearing the case.
Supreme Court’s Key Statements on the Kolkata Horror:
- The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the Kolkata rape-murder case, citing “systemic issues regarding the safety of doctors across India.”
2. The bench, headed by the Chief Justice, expressed “deep concern” over the lack of safe working conditions for young doctors, stating, “If women cannot go to work safely, we are denying them equality.”
3. The court also voiced alarm over the widespread media coverage of the victim’s name, photographs, and videos, calling it “extremely concerning.”
4. Noting that many young doctors work shifts as long as 36 hours, the bench, which includes Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, emphasized the need for a national protocol to ensure safe working conditions.
5. The court raised questions about the actions of the RG Kar Medical College principal, Sandip Ghosh, who resigned shortly after the incident and was later appointed as the principal of Calcutta Medical College. The bench asked, “When the conduct of the RG Kar Hospital’s principal was under scrutiny, how was he appointed to another college immediately?”
6. The Supreme Court also stated that the power of the West Bengal government should not be “unleashed on protesters,” emphasizing that “it’s a time of national catharsis.”
7. The court criticized the West Bengal government for its failure to maintain law and order and protect the crime scene, saying it was “unable to comprehend” why the state could not fulfill this responsibility.
8. Highlighting the safety of doctors, particularly women doctors, as a matter of national interest, Chief Justice Chandrachud asserted, “The nation can’t wait for another rape to take action. While states have legislations to protect medical professionals, they do not address the systemic issues.”
The body of the postgraduate trainee doctor was discovered in the seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, sparking nationwide protests. A civic volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime.
