Supreme Court Forms Task Force to Safeguard Doctors After Kolkata Rape-Murder Sparks National Outrage
In Landmark Move, SC Establishes 10-Member Panel to Protect Doctors Following Kolkata Tragedy
New Delhi, Aug 20: The Supreme Court of India, acknowledging the growing risks faced by doctors and healthcare professionals, especially in light of the recent rape and murder of a medical professional in Kolkata, has taken decisive action. On Tuesday, the court established a 10-member task force tasked with creating a national protocol to ensure the safety and well-being of these professionals. The task force is expected to submit an interim report within three weeks, followed by a final report within two months.
The bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, emphasized that protecting women doctors is not only a matter of national importance but also a fundamental issue of equality. The Chief Justice stated that the country cannot afford to wait for another tragedy before taking action. Despite existing laws aimed at safeguarding medical professionals, the bench noted that these do not sufficiently address the underlying systemic issues.
The newly formed task force includes prominent figures such as Surgeon Vice Admiral RK Sarian, Dr. Reddy (Managing Director of the Asian Institute of National Gastroenterology), Dr. M. Srinivas (Director of AIIMS, Delhi), and Dr. Prathima Moorthy from NIMHANS, Bangalore. Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary and Home Secretary of the Union government will serve as ex-officio members of the task force.
In the same session, the Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a status report by August 22 regarding the investigation into the Kolkata rape-murder case. Furthermore, the West Bengal government was instructed to file a status report by the same date on the progress of the investigation into the mob attack at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
This action stems from a suo motu case initiated by the Supreme Court in response to the brutal crime, which has sparked nationwide outrage and led to widespread strikes among doctors.
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