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The Supreme Court of India, in a significant development, has ordered doctors in West Bengal to immediately resume their duties following a prolonged strike protesting the brutal rape and murder of a fellow doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The court has set a deadline of 5 pm on September 10 for the doctors to return to work, failing which the state government will be empowered to initiate disciplinary action against them. The court, however, assured that no punitive measures, including transfers, will be taken against doctors who comply with the order within the stipulated time.
The court’s directive comes amidst a critical situation in West Bengal’s healthcare system. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the court that 23 individuals have tragically lost their lives due to insufficient medical care during the strike, while approximately 6 lakh patients have been deprived of essential medical treatment. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the court stressed the need for immediate action to address the concerns of doctors and ensure their safety and security. The court has directed the state government to implement crucial measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras, the establishment of separate restrooms for male and female doctors, and continuous monitoring by district collectors and superintendents of police.
The court’s order also underscores the ongoing investigation into the doctor’s rape and murder case, being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI has submitted a status report to the court detailing its progress. The court has also reviewed the status report filed by the West Bengal government regarding the mob violence and vandalism that occurred within the hospital premises on August 15. During the proceedings, the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, highlighted concerning details, including a delay of at least 14 hours in registering the First Information Report (FIR) and the absence of a crucial document known as a ‘challan’ from the autopsy records.
The court emphasized the significance of the ‘challan,’ which typically details the clothes and items seized during the autopsy process. The West Bengal government has been instructed to submit this document to the court on the next hearing date, scheduled for September 17. The CBI has also been directed to file a fresh status report on that day. Recognizing the need for privacy and dignity for the victim and her family, the court has ordered the immediate removal of all photographs of the victim from social media platforms.
The Supreme Court’s intervention in this case reflects the seriousness of the situation and the need to ensure justice for the victim and her family while simultaneously addressing the concerns of the medical community. The court’s directive to the doctors to resume their duties aims to alleviate the ongoing healthcare crisis in West Bengal. The ongoing investigations by the CBI and the court’s scrutiny of the evidence will play a crucial role in bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring accountability for the tragic events that unfolded at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.