Kolkata Rape and Murder Case: Supreme Court Forms Task Force for Doctor Safety After Kolkata Incident

Supreme Court Establishes 10-Member Task Force to Develop National Protocol for Doctor Safety Following Kolkata Rape and Murder Case

Recognizing the growing vulnerability of doctors and healthcare professionals to violence, the Supreme Court on Tuesday established a 10-member task force to develop a national protocol aimed at ensuring their safety and well-being, following the recent rape and murder of a medical student in Kolkata.

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The task force has been instructed to present an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.

A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud emphasized that the protection of women doctors is a matter of national importance, stating that the principle of equality demands nothing less. The Court further stressed that the country cannot wait for another tragic incident before enacting necessary changes.

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While there are existing laws to safeguard medical professionals, the bench noted that these do not address the deeper systemic issues. The task force includes prominent members such as Vice Admiral RK Sarian, a renowned surgeon; Dr. Reddy, Managing Director of the Asian Institute of National Gastrology; Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, Delhi; and Dr. Prathima Moorthy from NIMHANS, Bangalore, among others.

Additionally, the Supreme Court mandated that the cabinet secretary and the home secretary of the Union government serve as ex-officio members of this national task force.

The Court also directed the CBI to submit a status report on the investigation into the Kolkata rape-murder case by August 22. Similarly, the state of West Bengal was ordered to provide a progress report on the probe into the mob attack on RG Kar Hospital by the same date.

This hearing was part of the Supreme Court’s suo motu case concerning the rape and murder of the postgraduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which has sparked a nationwide doctors’ strike.

(With inputs from agency)