SC forms National Task Force for the safety of lady doctors

  • Case of rape and murder of a lady doctor in Kolkata

  • SC rebukes the State Government

  • SC orders to submit an investigation status report by August 22

(Photo Credits : LiveLaw.in)

New Delhi – The three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, expressed deep concern over the gang rape and murder in Kolkata. Additionally, the Court ordered the formation of a nine-member National Task Force to establish protocols for ensuring the safety of lady doctors at their workplaces. The hearing took place on 20th August 2024.

1. The Court set up this task force to recommend protocols for the safety of doctors at their workplaces. It will include doctors from various backgrounds who will recommend universally applicable procedures, stated CJI Chandrachud.

2. The Court prohibited the West Bengal Government from using force against protesters. The safety of doctors and lady doctors is a matter of national interest. The country cannot wait for another rape to take a few remedial steps, the Court added.

3. CJI Chandrachud also questioned the State Government about the vandalism that occurred at the hospital on the night of 14th August 2024. “The hospital was attacked by a mob, causing damage to equipment. What were the Police doing at that time ? The Police must first protect the place of the crime,” the CJI remarked.

4. The Court also criticised the West Bengal Government, questioning the delay in filing the case even though the post-mortem report was already received. The Court directed that the status report of the investigation into the attack on R.G. Kar Hospital by a mob of thousands on the night of 14th August 2024, as well as the rape and murder case, be submitted by August 22.

Members of the National Task Force

1. Surgeon Vice-Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General, Medical Services (Navy)

2. Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology and AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad

3. Dr M Srinivas, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi

4. Dr Pratima Murty, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru

5. Dr Goverdhan Dutt Puri, Executive Director, AIIMS Jodhpur

6. Dr Saumitra Rawat, Gastroenterologist, Sir Gangaram Hospital, New Delhi

7. Prof Anita Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, Pandit B D Sharma Medical University, Rohtak.

8. Prof Pallavi Saple, Dean, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai

9. Dr Padma Srivastava, the Chairperson of Neurology at Paras Health Gurugram