The Supreme Court on August 20 directed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide security at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the murder and rape of a 31-year-old resident doctor triggered nationwide outrage and protests.
The court, which took suo motu notice of the case, issued a string of instructions while seeking a status report on the probe during a hearing by a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The court also urged doctors to return to work.
"It is essential to maintain safe conditions for doctors to pursue their duty. Thus we have been assured by SG Mehta that CISF shall be deputed in sufficient numbers to guard the facility of RG Kar Medical college... Mr Sibal says there is no objection since the aim is to safeguard the place. Any concern regarding to their safety can be placed by an email to the registrar judicial of this court," the CJI said.
Kapil Sibal appeared in the court for the West Bengal government.
While questioning the police inaction when a mob vandalised the hospital on August 14 night during a protest, the top court asked the CISF, which is tasked with guarding critical infrastructure such as airports and Delhi Metro, to provide security at the hospital so that doctors and rest of the staff can work in a safe environment.
The opposition has alleged that the vandalism was aimed at compromising the crime scene and derail the probe.
The court came down heavily on the West Bengal government over a delay in filing the FIR in the case and ordered a National Task Force to look into the safety of healthcare staff in hospitals across the country.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
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