LIVE | Kolkata horror: SC forms task force for doctors’ safety; medics to continue stir
Top court forms task force to make recommendations pertaining to safety, working conditions, and wellbeing of medical professionals; urges protesting doctors to resume work
Amid spiralling nation-wide protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 20) ordered the formation of a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other health care professionals.
Treat protesters with sensitivity: SC tells govt
Terming the incident as "horrific", the apex court excoriated the state government over the delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands of miscreants to vandalise the state-run facility.
It also asked the West Bengal government to not unleash the "power of the State" on peaceful protesters and to deal with them with "great sensitivity in this moment of national catharsis".
The 10-member task force headed by Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has been asked to submit its interim report within three weeks.
CBI asked to submit status report
The Supreme Court, which directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a status report on the progress made in its investigation into the killing, also asked the state government to submit a report on the action it has taken against the vandals.
The court also expressed its deep concern over the name of the victim, her photographs and video clips showing her lifeless body having been splashed all over the media.
Taking a serious note of mob violence in the hospital and the allegation that the Kolkata police fled the scene, the top court ordered deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the hospital to enable doctors to resume work.
SC raps state govt, college
"In the aftermath of the brutal incident and the demonstrations which followed, the state government was expected to ensure the deployment of the state machinery to prevent a breach of law and order.
"It was all the more necessary to do so since investigation of the crime which took place in the precincts of the hospital was under way. We are unable to comprehend how the State was not prepared to deal with the incident of vandalisation of the premises of the hospital," the top court said.
The bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud criticised the ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College Dr Sandip Ghosh for trying to pass off the case as that of suicide and not letting the parents of the deceased to see her body for several hours.
"What was the principal doing? Why was this inaction to first pass this as suicide and not registering an FIR. Body is handed to the parents for cremation late in the night. On the next day, the doctors are on protest and a mob assembles at the hospital.
Incident raises systemic issues on safety of docs: SC
"The hospital is invaded and critical facilities are damaged. What was the police doing? A serious offence has taken place and the crime scene is within the hospital. The police should have protected the crime scene. How can the police allow vandals to enter the hospital. After the principal resigned, he is sent to another hospital. When his conduct was under scrutiny, how was he appointed to another college immediately," the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, observed.
The bench said what has taken place in Kolkata is not just a horrific murder but an incident which has raised systemic issues about the safety of doctors.
"We are deeply concerned that there is a virtual absence of safe work conditions across the country, particularly in public hospitals. Most of the young doctors have to put in 36 hours of work.
"We find that there are no duty rooms available, or separate restrooms for men and women doctors and nursing staff. We must evolve a national consensus that there must be a national standard protocol so that safe work conditions are provided," the bench said.
If women cannot go to their place of work safely, then we are denying them equality, the apex court said.
State’s defence
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, refuted the observations and submitted that Kolkata police took all necessary action. He said he will place on record all the facts.
"Photos and videos were circulated before the police reached the crime scene. We didn't allow anything to happen and cordoned off the area. Inquest was done and a case of unnatural death was registered immediately. We caught the culprit who was a civic worker. This is not adversarial litigation," Sibal told the court.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said a mob of 7,000 people could not have assembled at the hospital without the knowledge and consent of the police.
"Let West Bengal government not be in denial mode, there is complete failure of law and order in the state. A girl has lost her life due to a sexual pervert and an animal," Mehta said.
Sibal said over 50 FIRs have been registered following the vandalism incident and 37 people have already been arrested.
The top court asked the West Bengal government to not take coercive action against people holding peaceful protests and speaking up on social media.
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Live Updates
- 20 Aug 2024 3:29 AM GMT
SIT to probe RG Kar finances during Sandip Ghosh's tenure
The financial transactions at RG Kar Medical College during the tenure of former principal Dr Sandip Ghosh — who is now being grilled by the CBI in connection with the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor — will now be looked into following allegations of irregularities. An order from the West Bengal government said a Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the alleged financial irregularities. It will submit a report within a month.
The SIT, headed by Inspector General of Police Dr Pranav Kumar, will have the “liberty to access any relevant document from government departments and private agencies required for expeditious completion of the inquiry”. The team will look into the alleged financial irregularities from January 2021 till date.
“The SIT will submit its first report to the state government within a month from the date of its constitution,” read a government order.
- 20 Aug 2024 3:26 AM GMT
Bengal govt launches Rattirer Sathi programme
To enhance the safety and security of women working in night shifts across government and private sectors, the West Bengal Health Department on Monday issued a comprehensive set of measures and launched a flagship programme named “Rattirer Saathi — Helpers of the Night”. The new guidelines will be enforced in medical colleges, hospitals, and hostels where similar provisions are not already in place, the order said.
Under these guidelines, separate designated restrooms with toilets for women will be set up and women volunteers will be assigned on duty during nighttime shifts.
“There should be separate designated restrooms with toilets for women. Woman volunteers shall be on duty at night. Safe zones will be identified and created for women with full CCTV coverage. A special mobile phone app with alarm devices will be developed which shall be compulsorily downloaded by all working women and which will be connected to the local police stations/police control room,” it added.
The order stated that for emergency situations, helpline numbers 100 and 112 should be utilised extensively. Security checks and breathalyzer tests will be conducted regularly to ensure safer working conditions. All organisations are also encouraged to set up Vishakha Committees to address issues of sexual harassment if such committees are not already in place, it said.
Organisations have been advised to arrange work schedules so that women work in pairs or teams during night shifts, which helps ensure awareness of each other’s movements. Private institutions are similarly encouraged to implement the “Rattirer Saathi” programme, it added.
“Night police patrolling will be carried out in all medical colleges and hospitals, women's hostels and other places. Adequate drinking water facilities will be on all floors in hospitals. Identity cards will be displayed by all the faculty, staff and security guards in medical colleges and hospitals. Security officers will be posted by police in all medical colleges, hospitals and district hospitals for overall security supervision,” it said.
“Working hours of women should not exceed 12 hours at a time. Wherever possible, night duty may be avoided for women to the extent possible,” it said.
- 20 Aug 2024 2:52 AM GMT
Candle march in Himachal Pradesh
A silent candle march was taken out at midnight on Monday by a group of people at The Ridge in Shimla to demand justice for the Kolkata doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered.
Besides seeking capital punishment for the accused, the peaceful and symbolic demonstration aimed to raise awareness in society and reclaim public places.
People from diverse backgrounds, under the banner of Shimla Collectives, came out with candles to demand “capital punishment for the accused, quick delivery of justice and martyr status for the victim”.
“Capital punishment and speedy justice are the only deterrent to crimes like rape. We are here at this hour to reclaim public places and make them safe for women irrespective of whether it is day or night,” former deputy mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) Tikender Panwar told PTI.
- 20 Aug 2024 2:50 AM GMT
Doctors' body FORDA says attack on medics violate several fundamental rights
Doctors' body FORDA, in its intervention application filed with the Supreme Court through advocates Satyam Singh and Sanjeev Gupta, said medics dedicated 10 to 11 years of rigorous education and training, including medical school and residency, to save lives and serve society.
“The healthcare workers play an indispensable role in society, often working under challenging conditions to provide care and save lives. Ensuring their safety is paramount. We urge the judiciary to mandate comprehensive security protocols at RG Kar Medical College and other similar institutions, to protect them from any form of threat or violence,” the FORDA said.
It said the attack on medics violated several fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution such as the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, right to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business under Article 19(1)(g) and the right to equality before law under Article 14.
“Issue guidelines to plan, prevent, protect and address the aftermath of sexual violence, harassment and gender discrimination against healthcare workers. Direct the deployment of central forces to protect RG Kar Medical College and its staff till the pendency of the case, given the failure of local law enforcement to prevent the attack and subsequent vandalism of the crime scene,” it said.
- 20 Aug 2024 2:49 AM GMT
Suo motu case: Doctors' body moves SC
Doctors’ bodies the Federation of Association of Medical Consultants of India (FAMCI) and the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), and lawyer Vishal Tiwari moved the Supreme Court by filing interim applications in the suo motu case.
The FAMCI, in its plea, raised safety concerns for medical workers in hospitals across the country in the absence of any central law and said that despite years of demanding basic safety measures, medical workers continued to operate in risky environments.
The doctors’ body said the Centre should be asked to formulate uniform guidelines to ensure protection for healthcare workers and address gaps in state-level laws.
“Resident doctors in medical colleges (public and private) and doctors in government hospitals should be formally declared as ‘public servants’,” it said. “A police outpost should be mandatorily established within the premises of municipal hospitals.”
- 20 Aug 2024 2:47 AM GMT
Healthcare services remain affected at state-run hospitals
There was no let-up in nationwide protests on Monday (August 19) by junior doctors over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, even as the Union health ministry approved 25 per cent enhancement in security deployment at central hospitals.
In Kolkata, the protests escalated as senior doctors Kunal Sarkar and Subarna Goswami, who had posted about the incident on social media, appeared before police after leading a march of hundreds of healthcare professionals from Calcutta Medical College to Kolkata Police headquarters.
Healthcare services remained affected at state-run hospitals in West Bengal as junior doctors continued their cease-work protest.
- 20 Aug 2024 2:47 AM GMT
Bengal Governor to meet President Murmu
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose reached Delhi on Monday (August 19) night amid speculations that he may meet President Droupadi Murmu and senior leaders.
The governor on Thursday (August 15) visited RG Kar Hospital and spoke to the agitating junior doctors, assuring them of justice.
Speaking during a Rakhi celebration programme at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata earlier in the day, when several women doctors and others tied rakhis around his wrists, Bose pledged to support their efforts until the goal of a safer environment for women is achieved.
