SUPREME COURT FORMS TASK FORCE ON MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL'S SAFETY: CAN'T AWAIT ANOTHER RAPE FOR THINGS TO CHANGE RG KAR HOSPITAL CASE

The Supreme Court in the case titled In Re: Alleged Rape and Murder of Trainee Doctor in RG Kar Medical College Hospital Kolkata and related issues was hearing the Suo Motu case on the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.

The court in the case questioned the West Bengal Government and the police over the handling of the case.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud in the case observed and has expressed deep concerns at the fact that the name of the victim, photographs and video clips which shows the dead body have been spread all over the media.

The bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated that, 'This is extremely concerning.' The counsel, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the State of West Bengal, submitted before the court that the photos were taken and circulated before the police reached.

The court in the case also questioned the State over the conduct of the Principal, the delay in the registration of the First Information Report, FIR and the vandalism which took place at the hospital during a public protest on August 14, 2024.

'After the crime was being detected in the early hours of the morning, the Principal of the hospital tries to pass this off as a suicide. Thus, the parents are not allowed to see the body for a few hours.' The counsel, Sibal stated that this was incorrect information and said that the State will place on record all facts.

The Chief Justice of India, CJI in the case questioned why the principal was given the charge of another hospital after he resigned from RG Kar Hospital.

Further, the bench questioned about the timing of the FIR.

Sibal said that an 'Unnatural Death' case was registered immediately and claimed that there was no delay in the registration of the FIR.

The bench of CJI pointed out that the autopsy was conducted between 1 PM and 4.45 PM of the day. The body was handed over to the parents at about 8.30 PM for cremation.

The First Information Report, FIR was registered only at 11.45 PM. Sibal said that the FIR was being registered based on the complaint of the victim's family.