The Supreme Court of India resumed its hearing today on the case involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The bench, consisting of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, expressed grave concerns over the handling of the case by the Kolkata Police.
The court observed that it was “very surprising” that the postmortem of the deceased was conducted before the case was registered as an unnatural death. The court directed the Kolkata Police officer responsible for the initial entry about the incident to appear at the next hearing to explain the delay. This delay was termed “extremely disturbing” by the Supreme Court, highlighting the serious lapses in the investigation.
The court also expressed empathy for the doctors who have been protesting the incident and the prevailing working conditions in public hospitals. The Chief Justice shared his personal experience, stating, “I have slept on the floor of a government hospital when one of my family members was sick. We know that doctors work over 36 hours.” The court acknowledged the immense pressure doctors face and assured them that they will not face any adverse action for resuming their duties. The court also emphasized the importance of doctors returning to work for the functioning of public health infrastructure.
The court further expressed its deep concern over the alleged victimisation of resident doctors at AIIMS Nagpur for protesting the Kolkata incident. The court assured the doctors’ associations that the National Task Force will hear all stakeholders involved in the issue.
The Supreme Court’s strong stance on the delay in the Kolkata Police’s investigation and its assurance to doctors protesting against the incident are expected to have a significant impact on the handling of the case and the future of medical professionals in India. The court’s emphasis on the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of doctors and the need for efficient investigation in such heinous crimes is a crucial step towards preventing similar tragedies in the future.
