Kolkata rape-murder LIVE: CBI to conduct polygraph test on RG Kar ex-principal, 4 others
In a major relief for patients, hundreds of resident doctors in Delhi returned to work on Friday after ending their 11-day strike following an appeal by the Supreme Court
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), that is investigating the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, is set to conduct a polygraph test on Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the institution and four other people.
Unsatisfactory answers
The CBI decided to take the test after failing to get satisfactory answers from Ghosh even though he has been questioned for 88 hours in the span of week.
The agency will also conduct a polygraph test on two first-year PGT doctors whose fingerprints were found in the seminar hall where the trainee medic was allegedly raped and murdered. They were reportedly on duty along with the victim on the night of the crime and had dinner together before she retired to the seminar hall.
The CBI will also conduct polygraph test on a house staff member who was captured on CCTV while going from the first floor emergency to the third floor as well as an intern who reportedly interacted with the victim before she went the seminar hall.
Even though findings of polygraph test are not admissible in court, they help investigators get a lead on the case.
Delhi doctors withdraw protest
In a major relief for patients, hundreds of resident doctors in Delhi returned to work on Friday after ending their 11-day strike over the rape and murder following an appeal by the Supreme Court.
Healthcare professionals across the country ceased work after the body of the medic, a junior doctor, was found in a seminar room of the West Bengal government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.
Non-emergency services, including OPD and diagnostics, were shut as medics, including resident doctors, of major central and Delhi government-run hospitals struck work on August 12 evening, causing hardships for patients and delay in treatment. Residest doctors, including those of Centre-run AIIMS, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Delhi government-run LNJP, Maulana azad Medical College, GTB Hospital and Indira Gandhi Hospital, resumed duties after two national bodies announced the end of the strike on Thursday evening. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) and the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) took the decision after the Supreme Court issued directions about the safety of healthcare personnel.
While it appealed to medics across the country to rejoin duty and assured that no coercive action will be taken against them, the top court also said judges and doctors cannot go on a strike since they deal with matters involving life and liberty.
Bengal doctors to continue stir
Except West Bengal, resident doctors' associations of all other states have called off their strike. In Bengal, the epicentre of the protests, healthcare services remained affected at state-run hospitals as agitating junior doctors have said they would continue their ceasework.
"We have decided to continue our ceasework because justice is yet to be delivered. The Supreme Court has avoided the justice part. We must not forget that getting justice for our sister is our prime goal," one of the protesting doctors told PTI.
Extremely disturbing: SC
During Thursday’s hearing of the case, the Supreme Court termed "extremely disturbing" the Kolkata Police's delay in registering the unnatural death of the woman doctor.
“Justice and medicine cannot be stopped,” the court said while hearing the suo-motu case.
The top court also directed the Centre and the states to take urgent steps to institutionalise the safety of medics across the country.
Court’s directions on safety of medics
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud issued a slew of directions on the safety of doctors, norms for protests, rights of protesters as well as the West Bengal government.
It said the National Task Force (NTF) formed by the apex court will take note of the suggestions of all the stakeholders while formulating a national protocol for the safety of healthcare professionals, including the associations representing resident doctors.
"We direct the secretary of the Union Ministry of Health to engage with the chief secretaries of the states and directors general of police to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals," the bench said, while ordering that the exercise be completed in a week.
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Live Updates
- 22 Aug 2024 1:49 PM GMT
SC concerned over inhuman working hours of doctors, says NTF will consider it
During is hearing, the Supreme Court expressed deep concern over the inhuman working hours, sometimes 36 hours at a stretch, of the resident doctors across the nation.
The observations were made by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud while hearing a suo motu case related to rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a hospital in Kolkata.
"We are deeply concerned about the inhuman working hours of resident doctors across the country. Some doctors work 36-hour shifts. The committee appointed should look into streamlining the on-duty hours of all doctors. The 36 or 48 hour shifts are just inhuman,” the CJI said. Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra were also on the bench.
The top court highlighted the tough work schedules of the doctors, especially the resident doctors, and said the National Task Force (NTF) will look into this aspect as well.
The NTF was set up by the top court to recommend uniform safety protocols for the medical professionals across the country by taking into account the suggestions of all the stakeholders.
The issues were also flagged by lawyer Tanvi Dubey, appearing for intervenors FAIMA (Federation of All India Medical Association).
Senior lawyer Vijay Hansaria and lawyer Sneha Kalita, representing the Delhi Medical Association, also raised this issue besides other safety aspects pertaining to the doctors and health professionals in the country.
"It is undoubted that the views of diverse stakeholders be taken by the NTF before framing the recommendations. To facilitate the filing of suggestions before the NTF, we direct the Secretary, Ministry of Family Welfare of the Union, to open a specific portal on the website of the ministry on which the different stakeholders can submit their suggestions or consideration," the bench said.
- 22 Aug 2024 1:16 PM GMT
#WATCH | RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case | Director of Medical Education Dr Kaustav Nayek says, "The new principal has joined...It (deployment of CISF) depends on the situation. They will leave one the situation is fine...Everything will be fine. Let the… pic.twitter.com/2CAHGo2XyG
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2024 - 22 Aug 2024 1:08 PM GMT
CBI tells SC about police's alleged attempt to cover-up rape and murder
CBI told SC that there was an attempt by police to cover-up rape and killing as the crime scene was altered when the agency took over.
- 22 Aug 2024 12:54 PM GMT
FAIMA calls off protest
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) on Thursday decided to end its 11-day strike, called to protest against the rape and murder of a medic in Kolkata, following "positive directions" from the Supreme Court.
The apex court earlier in the day asked protesting doctors to resume work and assured them that no adverse action would be taken after they rejoin.
"#FAIMA has decided to call off the strike following positive directions from the #Chief Justice of India. We welcome the acceptance of our prayers for interim protections and the necessary steps to enhance security in hospitals. United, we will continue to fight legally," FAIMA, an umbrella body of doctors, said in a post on X.
The move comes soon after several resident doctors' associations (RDAs) called off their strike over Kolkata incident, following an appeal from the Supreme Court.
RDAs of AIIMS Delhi, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and the Delhi government-run Indira Gandhi Hospital also announced their decision to call off the strike.
- 22 Aug 2024 12:46 PM GMT
CBI may conduct polygraph test on former principal, four medics
CBI approaches court for permission to conduct a polygraph test on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Principal Dr Sandip Ghosh and four doctors: Sources
- 22 Aug 2024 12:44 PM GMT
#WATCH | RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case | Kolkata, West Bengal: CBI brings former principal of the Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sandip Ghosh to CBI Special Crime Branch at CGO complex, Salt Lake. pic.twitter.com/jamxREwiJ4
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2024 - 22 Aug 2024 12:41 PM GMT
Mamata demands ‘stringent’ law against rapes in letter to PM Modi
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for stringent legislation to deal with rape cases and completion of trial within 15 days among other things. Excerpts of the letter have been shared by chief advisor to Banerjee, Alapan Bandyopadhyay
Here is what the letter says:
“Respected Prime Minister, I wish to bring to your kind attention the regular and increasing occurrence of rape cases throughout the country and in many cases rapes with murder are committed according to the available data, it is horrifying to see that almost 90 cases of rapes occur daily throughout the country. This shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation. It is bounden duty for all of us to put an end to it so that the women feel safe and secure. Such serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner through stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes. Setting up of fast-track special courts for speedy trials in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation to ensure quick justice. Trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days."
