The hearing on the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape case in Kolkata has begun. During the hearing on Tuesday, the court has expressed concern over the condition of doctors in the country. Along with this, instructions have also been given to form a national level task force for their safety. Along with this, the apex court has also raised questions on the West Bengal government. The court said that we took suo motu cognizance because this is a big issue related to the safety of doctors. The body of a trainee doctor was found in the seminar hall on 9 August.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, who was hearing the case, said, ‘After the crime came to light early in the morning, the principal tried to show it as a suicide and the victim’s parents were not even allowed to see the body.’ He said, ‘No FIR was registered till late night.’ The court has also reprimanded the Trinamool Congress government for delaying the FIR and wasting the crime scene.
CJI said, ‘A doctor who was on shift for 36 hours in RG Kar Hospital was raped. Photos and videos of the deceased were shared. On August 13, the case was transferred to CBI by the High Court. On August 15, at 12:30 am, a mob entered the emergency ward and other places and vandalized it. After this, IMA called for a nationwide shutdown of emergency services for 14 hours. The state is expected to deploy state machinery to maintain law and order. We are unable to understand why the state could not do so.’
He said, ‘The safety of doctors and women doctors is a matter of national interest and the principle of equality also says the same. The country cannot wait for another rape to take some steps. There are laws in the state to protect health workers, but they do not deal with systemic issues.’
