THE SUPREME COURT CRTICIZES WEST BENGAL POLICE OVER DOCTOR SAFETY AMIDST KOLKATA HOSPITAL VANDALISM

Background:

The apex court recently criticised the Police authorities of West Bengal after it had noted that women doctors were threatened whilst hospital vandalism. This incident has taken place after the Inhumane rape and murder took place at Kolkata eventually stirring the entire nation leading to widespread protests leading to focusing on safety of women at workplaces.

Key Aspects:

The Court highlighted several key considerations:

● The Supreme Court of India took a decision to form national taskforce after taking suo motu cognizance of the inhumane rape and murder case at R G Kar Medical College.

● The court opined the necessary measures to ensure safety of healthcare workers.

● The court also ordered CISF to improve security measures at hospitals.

The above considerations were made by the apex court after chastising the police in Kolkata for allowing a crowd of 7,000 people to vandalise the R G Kar hospital early on August 15, attack the resident physicians' hostel, and threaten to kill female doctors if they spoke out about the rape and murder of their colleague.

On August 15, a large mob has entered an emergency ward of the hospital and vandalised the same and other areas of R G Kar Medical Hospital. Post this heinous act, the Indian Medical Association has taken stand and decided to call off non-emergency services of medical care.

The court also expressed that the state is expected to deploy Police forces for maintaining law and order in the crime scene and this situation is to be dealt with care and vigilance. 90% of the resident doctors had fled to their homes due to insecurity, and a bench made up of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra expressed doubts about the police's ability to safeguard them. As a result, the bench ordered the deployment of CISF to defend the hospital and its hostels.

The apex court explained that the Police officials need to be concerned and be vigilant whilst dealing with sensitive issues. The distressing act has led to large concerns of medicos and healthcare workers.

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Written by- Pathi Hrudaya Reddy

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