Kolkata rape-murder case: SC sets up 10-member national task force for safety of doctors

The horrific rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata, which has shaken the entire nation, was taken up by the Supreme Court during the hearing on Tuesday after the top court took suo motu cognisance of the brutal incident on the premises of a medical college.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, while hearing the case on Tuesday (Aug 20), expressed deep concern over the mishandling of the doctor's rape-murder case by the West Bengal government and the hospital.

The Supreme Court announced the setting up of a 10-member national task force to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety of doctors, as it heard arguments in the case concerning the rape and murder of a doctor at a Kolkata hospital.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud criticised the West Bengal government and the hospital administration for delaying the filing of the FIR (First Information Report).

The National Task Force constituted by the Supreme Court includes: (1) Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin; (2) Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, CMD, Asian Institute of National Gastrology; (3) Dr M Sreenivas, Director AIIMS, Delhi; (4) Dr Pratima Murty, NIMHANS, Bangalore; (5) Dr Goverdhan Dutt Puri; (6) Dr Saumitra Rawat; (7) Prof Anita Saxena, Head Cardiology, AIIMS Delhi; (8) Prof Pallavi Saple, Dean Grant Medical College; (9) Dr Padma Srivastava, Neurology department, AIIMS; (10) Dr Saumitra Rawat. 

The task force will also include ex officio members, including Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India, Home Secretary to the Government of India, Secretary, Union Health Ministry, Chairperson of the National Medical Commission, and President of the National Board of Examiners.

The Supreme Court bench also pulled up state government, and hospital authorities and asked, "Why was FIR registered three hours after the body was handed over for cremation?"

SC also slammed the state government for failing to stop the midnight vandalism in the RG Kar hospital. A mob had gone on rampage and smashed crucial infrastructure in the emergency ward of the hospital.

It may be mentioned here that the case is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the investigation has raised several critical issues, including the sanctity of evidence, the rule of law, the safety of healthcare professionals, and the broader concern of women's security in the workplace. 

Also read: Kolkata rape-murder case | CBI Appoints ASP Seema Pahuja to probe: Who is She?

The case was handed to the CBI a week ago after an order from the Calcutta High Court. The court's decision followed an appeal by the woman's parents, who were dissatisfied with the police investigation. The order overrode an assurance by the Chief Minister that the Central agency would be called in if the police failed to crack the case by August 18. 

The junior doctors continue to protest against the brutal case as health services in the state face issues. The protests have entered their 12th day as long queues of patients were seen at several government-run hospitals in the state where senior doctors and assistant professors attended them at OPDs.

The CBI has been questioning the former head of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh - and there have been four sessions of questioning. The accused will also undergo a lie-detector test soon, according to sources.