SC pulls up Bengal govt for lapses in Kolkata rape-murder case: Top observations

The Supreme Court on August 20 came down heavily on the West Bengal government over delay in filing FIR in the horrific rape and murder case of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The top court ordered to set up a national task force for the safety of doctors across the country.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, which had taken suo moto cognisance of the incident, said if women are not able to go to work and working conditions are not safe, we are denying them equality.

Here are apex court's top observations:

• Taking suo motu cognisance of the case, the top court said this incident raises systematic issue regarding safety of doctor across India.


• The top court slammed the West Bengal government over delay in filing FIR in the rape-murder case, and asked what were hospital authorities doing. "The autopsy reveals that this is case where doctor is murdered...the FIR is registered at 11:45 PM? what was the principal, board in the hospital doing?," questioned CJI Chandrachud during the hearing today.


• It appears crime was detected in early hours, medical college principal tried to pass it off as suicide, the apex court said.


• Most young doctors putting in 36 hours, we must evolve national protocol to ensure safe conditions of work, SC bench said.


• SC further said if women are not able to go to work and working conditions are not safe, we are denying them equality.


• The SC bench rapped the Kolkata Police and asked how a mob of thousands entered the RG Kar Medical College. SG Tushar Mehta said a mob of 7,000 people cannot enter the hospital without knowledge of the Kolkata Police.


• When conduct of R G Kar Hospital's principal was under scrutiny, how was he appointed to another college immediately, asks SC.


• CJI Chandrachud ordered setting up of a National Task Force to look into the safety of healthcare staff in hospitals. "We are setting up a national task force which will have doctors from diverse backgrounds who will suggest modalities to be followed all across India so that safety conditions of work is there and young or middle-aged doctors are safe in their work environment," CJI Chandrachud said.


• SC directed CISF to provide security at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and hospital to enable doctors to resume 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 their safety can be placed by an email to the registrar judicial of this court," CJI said.