The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a progress report to the Supreme Court regarding its investigation into the horrific rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The report was filed ahead of a crucial hearing on Tuesday, August 20, in which the top court reviewed the ongoing probe and scrutinized the actions of the Bengal government.
The case was heard by a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, alongside Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra. The Supreme Court had previously taken up the matter suo motu and requested status reports from both the CBI, investigating the rape-murder case, and the Bengal government, which was tasked with reporting on the subsequent vandalism at RG Kar Hospital. Sources confirmed that both reports were duly submitted before the court.
The brutal murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate doctor has ignited nationwide outrage and led to widespread protests, demanding justice and better safety measures for healthcare professionals, particularly women doctors.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the Supreme Court delivered a stern rebuke to the Bengal government, criticizing its multiple lapses in handling the case. The court was particularly harsh on the delay in filing a First Information Report (FIR), which was registered hours after the victim’s cremation. The bench questioned the hospital authorities, including the former principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, about this delay and expressed concern over the treatment of the victim’s parents, who were made to wait for three hours before being allowed to see their daughter’s body.
Adding to the court’s criticism, Chief Justice Chandrachud voiced concern over the widespread circulation of the victim’s name and photographs in the media, emphasizing that the safety of women doctors is a matter of national importance. He stressed that without ensuring their security, the principle of equality could not be upheld.
The court also took issue with the Bengal government’s decision to appoint Dr. Ghosh as the principal of another prominent state-run medical college, just hours after his resignation from RG Kar Hospital. This decision was met with sharp disapproval from the bench, which questioned the judgment of the state authorities in this matter.
In response to these issues, the Supreme Court established a ten-member National Task Force (NTF) to propose measures for ensuring the safe working conditions of healthcare professionals. The task force will be responsible for developing recommendations to improve the security and welfare of doctors across the country.
The case has also drawn the attention of several doctors’ organizations. The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has approached the Supreme Court, seeking interim protection for doctors until the NTF’s recommendations are implemented. The petition filed by FAIMA calls for immediate measures such as the installation of CCTV cameras in sensitive areas of medical colleges and hospitals, including entry and exit gates, corridors, and hostels. The petition highlighted the fear and anxiety among doctors, especially women, following the tragic incident. It noted that many families are now reluctant to allow their daughters to work night shifts without adequate security.
The National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS has also moved the Supreme Court through an intervention application. This application echoes the concerns of resident doctors from AIIMS institutions nationwide and calls for similar interim measures to protect doctors until long-term solutions are in place.
The investigation into the murder continues, the Supreme Court’s involvement underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for reforms to ensure the safety and security of medical professionals in India. The next steps in the case, including the implementation of the task force’s recommendations, will be closely watched as the nation demands justice and systemic change.
