Kolkata doctor murder: CJI raps Bengal govt's 'no night shift for women' policy, says 'provide protection whenever they work'
The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the West Bengal government's policy to avoid deploying women doctors at night shifts. Criticising the policy, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said "you cannot tell women to not work at night."
Kolkata doctor murder: The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the West Bengal government's policy to avoid deploying women doctors at night shifts. Criticising the policy, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said "you cannot tell women to not work at night."
"You cannot tell women to not work at night. It is your duty to provide them protection whenever they work. Women pilots, defence personnel, etc, work at night”, CJI said.
Notably, the Association for ‘Doctors for Patients’ in West Bengal objected to the state government's new policy to avoid deploying women doctors at night shifts.
Meanwhile, the top court continued to review the West Bengal government's security measures to improve the safety of healthcare workers in the state's hospitals.
During the hearing, CJI DY Chandrachud asked the state to follow a participatory process in which senior and junior doctors could offer their perspectives. The bench also ordered that an adequate number of washrooms and CCTV cameras be put in place within two weeks.
The development comes as Supreme Court on Tuesday resumed hearing its suo motu case over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the city on August 9.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee agreed to doctors' demands on Monday, announcing that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, the Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police, North and two senior Health Department officials would be replaced.
During today's hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal expressed worry about the live streaming of the court's proceedings, claiming that it had far-reaching consequences, and clarified that he is not representing the accused but the state of West Bengal.
Sibal also informed the bench that advocates in his chamber have been receiving rape threats.
However, CJI Chandrachud stated that live streaming of proceedings will continue because it is in the public's interest. He did, however, ensure that actions would be made to protect the members of the Bar.
According to the Court's previous orders, the CBI has filed a new status report.
The Supreme Court, after reviewing the report, stated that the CBI's investigation is to find the full truth and that the Central agency has addressed all of the issues highlighted by the top court, including the post-mortem process.
The Supreme Court said that the CBI must be given ample time to uncover the truth.