The Supreme Court on Thursday resumed hearing the suo motu case of shocking rape and murder of a lady doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The apex court went through the CBI status report into the investigation of the brutal murder and also the report filed by the Kolkata police into the August 14 vandalism at the hospital by a 7000 strong mob attacking protestors.
Here are the key takeaways and top quotes from today's hearing in the Supreme Court:
1. '14 Hour Delay In Filing FIR Cannot Be Justified!'
The CJI grilled the West Bengal government over its handling of the case after going through the CBI status report that confirmed that the FIR was filed late in the night depite the case being reported early in the morning.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal countered CBI's claim and maintained that everything is videographed and the Kolkata police have followed the required procedure. The CJI after going through all the documents, said it still does not justify the registration of the FIR at 11:30 PM, body was recovered at 9:30 AM.
2. 'Don't Politicise The Issue! Let Law Take Its Course'
Supreme Court while hearing the case urged the counsels appearing for CBI, Centre (Solicitor General Tushar Mehta) and West Bengal (Kapil Sibal) to not to politicise the situation, when the law is taking its course. The top court said this when SG Mehta and Sibal got into a verbal spat in the court over statements by political leaders.
When CJI Chandrachud said that some normalicy has to be restored while urging doctors to resume work, SG Mehta said, "we have statements of sitting West Bengal Minister, where he says that if anything is said against our leader, fingers will be chopped off."
Senior Advocate Sibal appearing for Mamata Banerjee government replied, "your leader says they will shoot!"
CJI Chandrachud at this point asked the counsels to not politicise the case and let the law take its course.
3. 'Will Not Just Lay Guidelines But Enforce Protocols To Portect Doctors'
The top court said that it will not just lay guidelines but enforce protocols to portect doctors.
After hearing the counsels mentioning the IAs filed by several organisations for inclusion in the National Task Force (NTF), the Supreme Court directed the Health Ministry to open an online portal where all stakeholders can submit their suggestions before the National Task Force (NTF) constituted to address problems faced by doctors and medical professionals in the courtry.
Supreme Court also directed the secretary of the Health Ministry to engage with the Chief Secretaries of the State and Director General of Police to ensure the safety of the doctors willing to return to work. It further directed that the meeting should be held within a week and states shall take remedial measures within two weeks.
The top court further directed all States and Union Territories to address any apprehension of violence at medical establishments.
4. 'No Adverse Action Against Doctors For Protesting'
The Supreme Court on Thursday passed an order saying that no adverse action should be taken by hospital authorities against doctors for protesting against the brutal rape and murder of a lady doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
"An apprehension is expressed on behalf of doctors stating that they are likely to be caught, some are already proceeded against for the protest. We are expecting compliance given to the Court that doctors will join the duties, if any actions are taken against doctors protesting, we direct that no coercive steps be taken against them....get back to work now, if any action is taken against in the past for the protest, we have said no coercive steps," the apex court orderd.
5. 'Justice And Medicine Cannot Go On Strike!'
The bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud urged the doctors to return to work and said that Justice and medicine cannot go on strike. The CJI said that normalcy has to be restored so far as the community of the doctors is concerned, and they have to return back to work.
6. 'West Bengal Govt Should Not Disrupt Peaceful Protestors'
The top court on request of West Bengal counsel Kapil Sibal, clarified that in its earlier order, the top court had said that the West Bengal government should not disturb the peaceful protestors, it did not mean that the government cannot act in accordence with law to stop any unlawfull situation.
"The Supreme Court has not injuncted the state of West Bengal to act in accordance with law and the court has only asked the West Bengal government should not disturb peaceful protest," the court clarified.
7. 'Have Not Come Across In 30 Yrs Of My Career,' Justice Pardiwala On Procedure Followed By Bengal Govt
While going through the status report filed by the CBI, Justice Pardiwala said that the entire procedure followed by West Bengal government is something which he has not come across in the 30 years of his career. Read More
8. CBI And Kolkata Police To File Fresh Status Report Next Week
The Supreme Court while dictating order, noted that two status reports were submitted, one by the CBI and another by the Kolkata police. The Kolkata police is looking into the vandalism at the RG Kar hospital after the protest. The CBI is investigating the brutal murder and rape case at RG Kar Hospital. The top court will again hear the matter next week and go through the fresh status reports by CBI and Kolkata Police.