LIVE | Kolkata horror: SC forms task force for doctors’ safety; medics to continue stir

CJI: National task force constituted with:

(1) Surgeon Vice-Admiral RK Sarian; (2) Dr Reddy, Managing Director, Asian Institute of National Gastrology; (3) Dr M Srivas, Director AIIMS, Delhi; (4) Dr Prathima Moorthy, NIMHANS, Bangalore; (5) Dr Puri, Director, AIIMs, Jodhpur; (6) Dr Ravat, Managing member of Gangaram Hospital; (7) Prof Anita Saxena, VC of Pandit BD Sharma College; (8) Dr Pallavi and (9) Dr Padma Srivastav.

CJI observes that doctors lack a place to rest, no basic hygiene is maintained for them; there is a lack of security in medical healthcare units; doctors are left to handle unruly patients; only one common toilet is there for medical professionals in the hospital; professionals have to travel distances for washrooms accessibility.

CJI observes that existing enactments do not adequately address the institutional safety standards for doctors and medical workers.

CJI observes that the medical profession has become vulnerable to violence....Due to ingrained patriarchal biases, women doctors are targeted more than men.

CJI: "As more and more women join the work force.....the nation cannot wait another rape for things to change on the ground."

CJI: "On 9 august 2024, a 31-year-old PG Doctor at RG Kar Hospital was raped and murdered....the brutality of the sexual assault have shocked the conscience, her name and pictures have been circulated violating the privacy."

CJI: "Parents were permitted to see the dead body after several hours, HC transferred the investigation to CBI, on the eve of Independence Day....Large mob vandalized the hospital."

CJI: "We are unable to comprehend how the state was not able to handle the issue of vandalism at the hospital."

CJI: "Hospitals are open throughout day and night, doctors work round the clock."

CJI: "We are very concerned, let not the power of the state of WB be unleashed on the protestors."

Sibal: "We have videos; political parties get involved and this in what happens."

CJI: "Autopsy took place between 1.45 and 4 pm."

CJI: "Autopsy reveals that this is case where doctor is murdered... The FIR is registered at 11.45 pm? What was the principal, board in the hospital doing?"

CJI: "At what time was the body handed over for cremation?"

Counsel: "8:30 pm."

CJI: "FIR filed 3 hours after the body handed over."

Justice Pardiwala: "Who was the first informant who filed the FIR? What was the time of the FIR?"

Sibal: "First, father of deceased and then VP of the hospital."

Justice Pardiwala: "Whose complaint came first?"

Sibal: "Father...11.45 pm"

CJI: "We are setting up a national task force; we want them to give recommendations regarding the modalities to be followed across the country for the safety measures for senior and junior doctors to be followed."

CJI: "We want CBI to file a status report on Thursday. We want CBI apprise us on the status of investigation."