THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, August 22: During the hearing of the case involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Supreme Court’s three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra asked the protesting doctors to return to work. The bench questioned the doctors, asking how the public health system would function if they refused to work.
The Supreme Court assured the medical organizations that the National Task Force (NTF) would listen to all stakeholders. It expressed sympathy for all patients coming to government hospitals.
During the hearing, resident doctors from AIIMS Nagpur informed the Supreme Court that they were being harassed for protesting against the Kolkata rape and murder case. Following this, the lawyer representing AIIMS Nagpur was assured that no adverse action would be taken against the doctors if they returned to work.
FIR lodged after last rites
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the most shocking fact was that the FIR was registered close to midnight, nearly at 11:45 PM, after the last rites of the deceased victim had been performed. The CBI also mentioned that the state police initially told the victim’s parents that it was a case of suicide, but later stated that it was a murder.
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Discrepancies found between police diary and post-mortem timings
The Supreme Court reviewed the status reports submitted by the CBI and the West Bengal government.
The CBI, in its status report presented to the Supreme Court, stated that the crime scene in Kolkata had been tampered with, and there were attempts to cover up the case. The FIR was registered nearly at 11:45 PM after the deceased victim’s last rites had been performed.
The report also highlighted the indifferent attitude of the hospital administration throughout the incident.
The Kolkata police delayed informing the victim’s family and initially suggested that it was a case of suicide, only later admitting it was a murder. The report noted that the attempt to portray the murder as a suicide raises suspicions and suggests an effort to conceal the truth.
The Court also pointed out discrepancies between the police diary and the timing of the post-mortem. Additionally, the Court raised questions regarding the medical examination of the accused.
Kolkata Police and WB govt also present status report
Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police has also submitted a status report to the Supreme Court regarding this case. In its report, the Kolkata Police defended itself, rejecting the CBI’s allegations of negligence. Additionally, the Kolkata government has presented a status report to the Supreme Court concerning the investigation into the vandalism that occurred at RG Kar Hospital on the night of August 14.
CJI expresses concerns over hectic work schedule of resident doctors
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned that doctors are working 36-hour shifts, and if the Court could assure their safety, it would bring them some relief. He suggested that doctors be given the opportunity to voice their concerns.
In response, Chief Justice Chandrachud acknowledged that it is not right for doctors to be on duty for 36 to 48 hours. He shared that he is aware of the strain doctors are under, recalling his own experience of sleeping on the floor of a government hospital when a family member was ill. The Chief Justice noted that they have received numerous emails highlighting the immense pressure on doctors.
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Resident doctors urge to be included in NTF
Senior Advocates Vijay Hansaria, representing the Delhi Medical Association, and Devadatt Kamat, representing a doctors’ organization, requested the Court today to include representatives of resident doctors in the National Task Force.
In response, the Chief Justice noted that including representatives from all associations would render the NTF unmanageable. However, he assured that the NTF would listen to all stakeholders. He suggested allowing the committee to make a decision first.
