The Indian government has accused the West Bengal government of failing to cooperate in providing logistical support to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed at R G Kar Hospital in Kolkata, the site of a recent tragic incident where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered. The accusation was made on Tuesday in the Supreme Court, where the Centre sought “contempt action” against the Mamata Banerjee government.
The Centre’s plea, citing non-cooperation with CISF, stated that the West Bengal government has not provided adequate logistical support to the security personnel. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has requested the Supreme Court to direct the West Bengal government to extend full cooperation to CISF in providing security at the hospital. The Centre characterized West Bengal’s lack of cooperation as “unpardonable” and symptomatic of a systemic malaise.
The Supreme Court had ordered the deployment of CISF at the R G Kar hospital on August 21 following the tragic incident that occurred on August 9, where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered during her night shift in the hospital’s seminar hall. Subsequent to the attack, a mob vandalized the hospital and protesting doctors on August 14.
According to India Today, there are 92 CISF personnel stationed at the hospital, including 54 female personnel, who are facing accommodation issues. The MHA, in its plea to the Supreme Court, mentioned that the personnel are currently accommodated at a CISF unit in Kolkata, located an hour from the hospital. The MHA had previously requested the West Bengal Chief Secretary on September 2 to arrange necessary logistics and security equipment.
The Centre’s accusation of non-cooperation by the West Bengal government adds another layer of complexity to the already sensitive case. The ongoing legal battle and the concerns regarding the safety of doctors and patients at the hospital highlight the urgent need for a swift resolution to this issue. The Supreme Court’s decision on the matter will have significant implications for the future of security at the R G Kar Hospital and potentially for other public hospitals across India.
