The Supreme Court of India is resuming hearings related to the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has clarified that while the state has the right to enforce laws, it must not disrupt peaceful protests.
The Court has urged the medical community to return to work, emphasizing that the situation has persisted for over 13 days since the incident. “The medical community needs to return to work. It’s been over 13 days since the incident occurred,” the CJI stated.
In a significant development, the Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the case and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to provide a status report on their ongoing investigation. The CBI has also been tasked with looking into the vandalism that occurred at the hospital during the protests.
Additionally, a National Task Force (NTF) has been established to address the broader issue of safety for medical professionals, particularly women. Chief Justice Chandrachud noted that the NTF will feature a portal for anonymous complaints to allow doctors to voice their safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
The Court assured that the NTF would address the issues raised by the medical community, ensuring their concerns are heard and acted upon.
