'Why Progress So Tardy?' SC Pulls Up Bengal Govt Over Steps To Ensure Safety Of Doctors
Supreme Court resumed hearing Kolkata doctor's rape and murder case and went through the CBI report on status of investigation as well as the West Bengal government's report on steps taken to enhance security infrastructure
Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case: The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the West Bengal government over tardy progress in implementing security measures across government run medical colleges and hopitals. The top court directed the Mamata Banerjee government to complete all the work including installation of CCTVs, provisions for separate restrooms for male and female doctors by October 15.
CJI Chandrachud questioned the counsel appearing for the West Bengal government as to what steps they have taken to install CCTV cameras, construction of toilets, creating male and female duty rooms, install biometrics, etc.
The West Bengal government informed the court that there have been logistical delays due to floods in the state.
The CJI after going through the status report pointed out that no work is completed above 50%. Most of them were either 20%, 22% etc, said the court and questioned why the progress was so "tardy."
The court today resumed hearing the suo motu case in the Kolkata doctor's rape and murder case and went through the CBI report on status of investigation as well as the West Bengal government's report on steps taken to enhance security infrastructure across government hospitals in Karnataka.
CBI, NTF To File Next Status Report By Monday
A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra heard the lawyers at length and directed the CBI to file its next status report on the murder and rape of the trainee doctor as well as the alleged financial irregularities in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital by next Monday. The top court also sought a report from the 10-member National Task Force (NTF) it had constituted to look into the matter of safety and security of doctors across the country and formulate a protocol to implement the same.
The court said that the CBI has given us elaborate statements on where the investigation is now and the leads that they are following. The top court further said that CBI has put forth subtantial leads with regards to both the rape and murder case as well as the alleged financial irregularities.
The court was further informed by lawyers representing Senior and Junior Doctors from West Bengal that those under CBI investigation in the murder and rape case are still employed at the hospital and threat culture persists at the RG Kar hospital.
Senior Advocate Indira Jaisingh submitted in the court that till the investigation by CBI is completed they must be suspended as they hold position of power and doctors don't feel safe. Taking note of these submissions, the top court directed CBI to apprise the court on these individuals by next hearing.
The West Bengal government informed the top court that they have already suspended 5 doctors.
Social Media Intermediaries Must Take Down Victim's Name And Photo: SC
The court at the outset of the hearing said that its earlier order on not publishing the picture and name of the rape and murder victim at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital is applicable to all social media intermediary. This came after Advocate Vrinda Grover informed the court that parents of the deceased victim are affected by repeated clips in social media disclosing her name and photos. The apex court said it had already passed an order on this issue and it was for the law enforcement agencies to implement the order.
On September 17, the Supreme Court had said it was disturbed by the findings given in a status report filed by the CBI in the rape-murder case but refused to divulge the details, saying any disclosure may jeopardise the ongoing investigation.
On September 9, the top court had raised questions about the missing Post Mortem challan, a key document forwarding the body of the junior doctor.
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