The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Centre to deploy Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the RG Kar Hospital where a woman doctor was raped and murdered. The direction came after the Counsel appearing for Organisation of Doctors of West Bengal placed on record a complaint by a senior resident setting out details of the incidents. The court was told that while the Doctors were participating in the protest "Reclaiming the Night," women doctors at RG Kar Hospital were threatened that they will meet the same fate as the rape victim if they continued with the protest.
Taking cognisance of the vandalism at the hospital on midnight of 14 August, where the protesting hospital staff were attacked, the apex court accepted the proposal by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that CISF should be deployed at the hospital.
The court after going through the anonymous complaint expressed serious concern over the allegation that West Bengal police fled the ground when the mob attacked the peaceful protestors.
CJI Chandrachud expressed serious concern at the fact that the mob called the lady doctors by their name and threatened that they would meet the same fate as that of the deceased. CJI questioned why the police ran away from the spot.
"This Police will protect the Doctors?" Justice Pardiwala asked the West Bengal government.
"We made an appeal to these doctors, now even if we ask women doctors to join back, will this police protect them?" the bench asked, expressing concern over the conduct of Kolkata police.
The court was informed that there were a total 700 Residents at the RG Kar Hospital. However, following the vandalism, most of the doctors have left and only around 100 remain.
The court was told that out of 250 ladies only 30 to 40 female residents remain in the hospital. And only 60-70 male residents remain and the rest have fled the hospital after the mob attack.
The bench headed by CJI Chandrachud appealed to the protesting Doctors to resume work. However, after it was apprised with the anonymous email by the RG Kar resident doctor, the court said how can it appeal doctors to resume work without ensuring proper security to them. Thus, the court accepted Centre's proposal to deploy CISF at RG Kar hospital.
The Supreme Court after going through the anonymous email sent by a Senior Resident Doctor raped the West Bengal government over its lack of preparedness in the face of mob attack by nearly 7000 people on peaceful protestors.
"The West Bengal government cannot be unaware of the fact that another group could try to vandalise such a protest" CJI Chandrachud remarked.
The court took note of the fact that the same senior resident doctor had sent an email to Kolkata Police raising the complaint.
"What has the police done?" CJI asked. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal said that the state will act on it.
SG Mehta however, said that if the police are aware of the doctor's identity then the same doctor should be provided security.
The Supreme Court appealed to all the doctors at RG Kar Hospital to send their complaints to the Registrar Judicial of the Supreme Court and assured them that their grievances will be heard by the apex court.
The apex court also observed that it is unable to comprehend why the state of West Bengal could not maintain law and order and protect the crime scene.
While dictating the order, the apex court said, "On August 9 a doctor who was on 36 hour shift was raped and murdered in RG Kar medical college and hospital. The pictures and videos of the deceased were circulated. On August 13, the case was transferred to CBI by the High Court. There were protesters all across the state. On 12:30 am on August 15 a large mob vandalised the emergency ward and other areas of the hospital. Following this IMA called for nationwide withdrawal of emergency services for 14 hours. The state was expected to deploy state machinery to maintain law and order and protect crime scene. We are unable to comprehend why the state could not do so." the apex court observed while issuing a slew of directions.
The top court today directed CBI to submit status report by August 22. It also directed the West Bengal government to file status report of the investigation on the August 14 mob attack.