In a stark rebuke of the Kolkata police for their handling of the aftermath of a trainee doctor's rape and murder, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to take over the security of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The move came after a mob systematically attacked doctors and medical staff at the facility on August 15, prompting over 700 doctors to leave out of safety concerns. The court also constituted a 10-member task force to formulate a national protocol for the safety of doctors and facilities at hospitals.
In light of the recent rape and murder case of a Kolkata doctor, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud noted that if conditions are not safe for women to go to work, it is a denial of their equality. He emphasized that the issue goes beyond just one case, and there needs to be a national protocol in place to ensure the safety of all doctors, especially women. The Supreme Court has proposed the formation of a national task force to establish guidelines for the protection of medical professionals and has urged protesting doctors to return to work.
The Supreme Court has taken cognisance of a recent case of rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and expressed concerns over the lack of safe working conditions for medical professionals. To address this issue, the court has set up a National Task Force comprising senior doctors from diverse backgrounds. The task force will suggest modalities for ensuring safety of doctors, creating a standard national protocol, and preventing gender-based violence in the workplace. The task force is expected to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months, with suggestions on how to implement their recommendations in hospitals.