The Supreme Court on Monday is set to hear a suo motu plea concerning the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. This marks the fifth day of proceedings, which began on August 20, 2024, following the horrific incident.
During the hearing on September 17, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, urged the court to halt live proceedings. He cited serious threats of acid attacks and rape against women lawyers in the chamber. In response, the Supreme Court assured Sibal that it would take swift action against any threats made against lawyers or others involved in the case.
Meanwhile, junior doctors at the hospital remain on protest, demanding justice for the victim, known as Abhaya. They have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of action on the directives issued by the Chief Secretary regarding their safety and security in hospitals. Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, told ANI, “Our agitation so far centered around only one agenda, and that was justice for Abhaya. It has been 10 days since we met with the Chief Secretary concerning our safety and security in hospitals, but we haven’t seen any action on the directives given by the Chief Secretary as per our demands.”
The Supreme Court has taken a strong stance on the matter, describing the doctor’s rape and murder as “horrific” on August 20. In a significant move, the court mandated the establishment of a 10-member National Task Force to create protocols for the safety and security of healthcare professionals across the country.
The doctor’s body was found in the seminar hall of the hospital’s chest department on August 9 with severe injuries. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which began its probe on August 14.
The Supreme Court’s suo motu plea highlights the urgent need for justice and increased safety measures for healthcare professionals, especially in light of the recent horrific incident. The court’s actions, along with the ongoing protests, raise critical questions about the security of healthcare facilities and the need for a systemic change to ensure the safety of doctors and other medical personnel. The court’s ongoing hearing and the National Task Force’s work will be crucial in addressing these issues and ensuring a safer environment for those working in the medical field.
