Kolkata Doctor Rape: Supreme Court Calls For Systemic Reforms

The Supreme Court has labeled the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case as "horrific" and has called on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to update the court on the case’s progress by August 22. 

Kolkata Doctor Case:

The Kolkata doctor death case was scheduled as the first item on the agenda at 10:30 a.m. on August 20, the case was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra.

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the case, titled "In Re: Alleged Rape and Murder Incident of a Trainee Doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, and Related Issues." 

The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to submit a status report on the progress of the Kolkata doctor death case by August 22, 2024.

Working Woman:

The bench expressed their concern over the unsafe working conditions for young doctors, emphasizing that if women cannot work in safety, equality is being undermined. “If women are not able to go to work and conditions are not safe, we are denying them equality,” stated the Chief Justice.

Doctors Safety And System Reform:

During the hearing, the Supreme Court proposed several measures aimed at improving the safety and working conditions of doctors,

The Court suggested that resident doctors in both public and private medical colleges, as well as doctors working in government hospitals, should be formally designated as 'public servants.' 

The Court recommended the establishment of mandatory police outposts within the premises of municipal hospitals.

The Court highlighted a significant gap in institutional safety for medical professionals. It pointed out the lack of adequate resting facilities for doctors on late-night duty, emphasizing the need for proper rest areas. The Court also criticized the prevailing conditions of basic hygiene, noting the absence of proper restrooms for doctors and interns.

Social Media:

In this case, the Supreme Court criticized the social media’s handling of the case, mentioning the victim’s name, photographs, and videos have been widely circulated. This exposure of the victim's identity is “extremely concerning” the court said.

RG Kar Ex Principal:

The former principal of RG Kar Medical College, Sandip Ghosh faced multiple suspensions due to his initial mishandling of the case, including allegedly attempting to misclassify the junior doctor's death as suicide. Following intense protests, he resigned but was appointed as the principal of another prestigious college just the next day.

In court, regarding the conduct of RG Kar Medical College’s former principal, Sandip Ghosh, the Court questioned why he was appointed to another prestigious college shortly after resigning amid the investigation. Ghosh had been questioned by the CBI for nearly 53 hours over four days concerning his actions following the doctor’s death.

West Bengal Government:

The Court also criticized the West Bengal government for its handling of the situation. It expressed frustration over the government's apparent failure to maintain law and order and protect the crime scene. 

The Supreme Court stressed that the safety of doctors, particularly women doctors, is a matter of national interest and called for systemic reforms. "The nation can't wait for another rape for it to take some steps. There are legislations in states to protect medical professionals but they do not address the systemic issues," Chief Justice DY Chandrachud concluded.

Kolkata Doctor Rape Autopsy: 

A junior doctor was found dead in the seminar room of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, which gained national attention and created public outrage the doctor was raped and murdered in the hospital.

The autopsy report of the junior doctor reveals that the victim sustained over 14 injuries to multiple parts of her body, including her head, face, neck, arms, and genitals. The report also provided clear evidence of forceful penetration, indicating sexual assault. The cause of death was determined to be a combination of manual strangulation and smothering.