Kolkata horror: CBI to present report on Kolkata doctor murder case to Supreme Court today

PTC News Desk: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to submit a detailed progress report to the Supreme Court today on its ongoing investigation into the harrowing rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This tragic incident, involving a 31-year-old postgraduate doctor, has ignited widespread outrage and protests across the nation.

The Supreme Court, led by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, took up the case suo motu and conducted a hearing on Tuesday, August 20.

During this session, the court sharply criticized the West Bengal government for its mishandling of the case and its failure to prevent the vandalism that occurred at the state-run medical college and hospital. In response, the Bengal government is also expected to file a status report today, detailing the progress of the investigation into the vandalism.

The Calcutta High Court had previously transferred the investigation to the CBI on August 13, citing "serious lapses" by the RG Kar hospital administration in their handling of the case.

Supreme Court's Remarks in the Previous Hearing

In Tuesday's hearing, the Supreme Court expressed severe disapproval of the management at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, particularly in relation to the delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the incident. The court questioned why the FIR was filed several hours after the victim's cremation, and why the victim's parents were made to wait for three hours before being allowed to see her body.

Chief Justice Chandrachud also voiced strong concerns about the circulation of the victim's name and photographs in the media, stressing that the safety of women doctors is a matter of national importance. He underscored that there can be no true equality in society without ensuring the safety of women in the medical profession.

The court further criticised the Bengal government for its decision to appoint Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, to another prestigious state-run medical institution just hours after he resigned from his position at RG Kar.

To address broader concerns regarding the safety of healthcare professionals, the Supreme Court established a ten-member National Task Force (NTF). This task force has been tasked with developing recommendations to ensure safe working conditions for medical professionals across the country.

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Doctors' Associations Approach Supreme Court

In light of the incident, the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has approached the Supreme Court, seeking interim protection measures for doctors until the recommendations of the National Task Force are fully implemented. The petition submitted by FAIMA emphasized the need for immediate action, including the installation of CCTV surveillance in sensitive areas of medical colleges and hospitals, such as entry and exit gates, corridors, and hostels.

The petition noted that the horrific incident has left many doctors, particularly women, fearful for their safety, leading to concerns among their families about night duties. Therefore, enhanced security measures are deemed essential.

Additionally, the National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS has filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court, raising concerns on behalf of resident doctors across all AIIMS institutions in India. The application also calls for interim protective measures for doctors pending the implementation of the NTF's recommendations.

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