The Crossbill Team
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 20) expressed deep concern about the lack of safety conditions for doctors and medical professionals across the country, while hearing a suo motu plea regarding the rape and murder of a junior postgraduate doctor in Kolkata.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra stated that they initiated the suo motu case regarding the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 to address the "systemic issues," Live Law reported.
"The reason why we have decided to take this suo motu matter is because this is not a matter related to a particular murder which took place in a hospital in Kolkata. It raises systemic issues related to the safety of doctors across India," Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said.
"First, on matters of safety, we are deeply concerned about the virtual absence of conditions of safety for young doctors in public hospitals, especially women doctors who are more vulnerable because of the nature of work and gender. Therefore, we must evolve a national consensus. There must be a national protocol to create safe conditions of work. If women cannot go to a place of work and feel safe, we are denying them equal opportunity. We have to do something right now to ensure that the conditions of safety are enforced," CJI orally said.
Regarding the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case, the Court expressed regret over the publication of the victim's name and photos in the media. CJI Chandrachud noted that there are existing judgments prohibiting the disclosure of the names of sexual assault survivors.
The Court said, "We are deeply concerned about the fact that the name, photo and video clip of the Kolkata rape victim was published all over. The law prohibits publishing victims' names. Is this the way we provide dignity to the young doctor who has lost her life?"
On the issue of coverup allegations levelled against the authorities, the Court stated, “After the crime was detected in the early hours of the morning, the Principal tried to pass this off as a suicide, and parents were not allowed to see the body," Bar and Bench reported.
The CJI questioned how the Principal of RG Kar Hospital, who was relieved of his duties following the incident, was promptly appointed as the Principal of another college.
The court also said "CBI needs to file a status report on this Thursday and let it apprise us about the status. Since it is sensitive stage, let it be given only to us. Today we will pass an order," Bar and Bench reported.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra stated that they initiated the suo motu case regarding the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 to address the "systemic issues," Live Law reported.
"The reason why we have decided to take this suo motu matter is because this is not a matter related to a particular murder which took place in a hospital in Kolkata. It raises systemic issues related to the safety of doctors across India," Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said.
"First, on matters of safety, we are deeply concerned about the virtual absence of conditions of safety for young doctors in public hospitals, especially women doctors who are more vulnerable because of the nature of work and gender. Therefore, we must evolve a national consensus. There must be a national protocol to create safe conditions of work. If women cannot go to a place of work and feel safe, we are denying them equal opportunity. We have to do something right now to ensure that the conditions of safety are enforced," CJI orally said.
Regarding the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case, the Court expressed regret over the publication of the victim's name and photos in the media. CJI Chandrachud noted that there are existing judgments prohibiting the disclosure of the names of sexual assault survivors.
The Court said, "We are deeply concerned about the fact that the name, photo and video clip of the Kolkata rape victim was published all over. The law prohibits publishing victims' names. Is this the way we provide dignity to the young doctor who has lost her life?"
On the issue of coverup allegations levelled against the authorities, the Court stated, “After the crime was detected in the early hours of the morning, the Principal tried to pass this off as a suicide, and parents were not allowed to see the body," Bar and Bench reported.
The CJI questioned how the Principal of RG Kar Hospital, who was relieved of his duties following the incident, was promptly appointed as the Principal of another college.
The court also said "CBI needs to file a status report on this Thursday and let it apprise us about the status. Since it is sensitive stage, let it be given only to us. Today we will pass an order," Bar and Bench reported.
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