In the Kolkata rape and murder case, the Supreme Court has raised serious concerns and questions. The Chief Justice of India (CJI), D.Y. Chandrachud, emphasized that this is not just a case of a murder in Kolkata but a matter of ensuring the safety of doctors across the country.
The CJI pointed out that medical professionals face various forms of violence and work under extremely challenging conditions, often working long hours. This environment makes them vulnerable to violence. He stressed the need for a national consensus and protocol to ensure safe working conditions for doctors, especially for women and young doctors. He said that such a protocol should not just exist on paper but must be effectively implemented on the ground.
The Supreme Court expressed concern about the photos and name of the victim being circulated on social media, which should not have happened. This incident highlights a systemic failure across the country. The court mentioned previous rulings that prohibit the publication of names of sexual assault victims.
The court questioned why the police allowed thousands of people to enter the crime scene and why the scene was not properly protected. They also asked why the principal of the medical college involved was transferred to another college. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been instructed to submit a status report on the case by Thursday, directly to the court, given the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.
The Supreme Court questioned what the police were doing when the crowd entered the R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The seriousness of the incident has led the court to consider forming a task force under its supervision.
The court wants to form a national task force including doctors to ensure their safety, urging doctors to trust that the country’s healthcare system depends on them and to return to work.
The Supreme Court criticized the West Bengal government and hospital administration for delaying the filing of the FIR by 3 hours and 30 minutes after the victim’s family was given the body. The court emphasized that since the victim’s family was not present, it was the hospital’s responsibility to file the FIR.
The court also questioned why the crime was discovered early in the morning, yet the principal tried to label it as a suicide. The victim’s parents were not even allowed to see the body.