Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to submit a progress report to the Supreme Court today regarding the investigation into the horrific rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The case, which has sparked national outrage, was taken up by the Supreme Court, which expressed deep concern over the handling of the investigation.
During a hearing on August 20, a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, criticized the Bengal government for its handling of the case and its failure to prevent vandalism at the state-run medical college. The Bengal government is also expected to submit its own status report today, detailing the progress of its investigation into the vandalism that occurred in the aftermath of the incident.
The case was transferred to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court on August 13, citing “serious lapses” by the RG Kar Medical College administration in the handling of the investigation.
Supreme Court’s Concerns Over Case Handling
In Tuesday’s hearing, the Supreme Court expressed its dissatisfaction with the Bengal government and the RG Kar Medical College over delays and procedural failures. The bench questioned why the First Information Report (FIR) was registered several hours after the victim’s cremation and why the victim’s parents were made to wait for three hours to see their daughter’s body. Chief Justice Chandrachud also raised concerns about the circulation of the victim’s name and photographs in the media, emphasizing that the safety of women doctors is a matter of national importance.
The court also criticized the Bengal government for appointing Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, to another prominent state-run medical institution shortly after his resignation.
In response to the incident, the Supreme Court established a ten-member National Task Force (NTF) to propose measures to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals across the country.
Doctors’ Associations Seek Supreme Court Intervention
The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has approached the Supreme Court, seeking interim protection for doctors until the National Task Force’s recommendations are implemented. The petition emphasized the need for enhanced security measures, including CCTV surveillance in sensitive areas of medical colleges and hospitals.
The National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS has also filed an intervention application with the Supreme Court, voicing the concerns of resident doctors nationwide and calling for immediate protective measures.
The Supreme Court’s directives and the outcome of the CBI’s investigation are being closely watched, as they will have significant implications for the safety and working conditions of healthcare professionals in India.
