The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the shocking rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident, which occurred on August 9, has triggered widespread outrage across the country, leading to protests and strikes by medical professionals demanding justice and enhanced safety measures.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud is set to hear the matter on Tuesday, August 20. This development comes amid growing public pressure and allegations of mishandling by state authorities, prompting the Supreme Court to intervene in the case.
Nationwide Outrage and Protests
The brutal assault and murder of the trainee doctor have sparked a wave of protests nationwide. Medical professionals, civil society groups, and concerned citizens have come together to express their outrage, demanding severe punishment for those responsible and better protection for healthcare workers, especially women, who are often vulnerable in their workplaces.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the country’s largest body of doctors, has been at the forefront of the protests. On Saturday, the IMA called for a nationwide strike, suspending all non-essential medical services for 24 hours to press for justice for the slain doctor.
Supreme Court’s Response and Public Demands
The Supreme Court’s decision to take suo motu cognizance of the case followed a letter from two Supreme Court lawyers, urging the Chief Justice to act. The letter emphasized the need for the judiciary to send a clear message that such heinous crimes would not be tolerated and that the dignity of women must be fiercely protected.
“The nation looks to the judiciary as the ultimate guardian of justice, the last refuge for those whose cries have been silenced by brutality. The victim in this case, a young doctor whose life was dedicated to serving others, deserves nothing less than the full measure of justice that our legal system can provide. Her death must not be in vain; it must galvanize us to act, to ensure that no other woman suffers such a fate,” the letter stated.
Ongoing CBI Investigation
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the case, with a focus on uncovering all aspects of the crime. The CBI has detained a civic volunteer stationed at the hospital in connection with the crime. Additionally, the agency is scrutinizing the call details and chats of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, as part of its probe.
Ghosh has been questioned extensively by the CBI, and the agency is considering contacting mobile service providers to obtain detailed information about his phone calls and data usage. The investigation is ongoing, with over 20 individuals, including other doctors and interns who were on duty the night of the incident, being grilled by the CBI.
Government Response to Protests
In response to the nationwide protests by doctors, nursing staff, and other medical professionals, the Union Home Ministry has directed all state police forces to provide regular updates on the law and order situation. The ministry has requested continuous two-hourly situation reports to monitor the protests and their impact on healthcare services.
Medical professionals across the country are calling for the implementation of a central law to prevent violence against healthcare workers, the declaration of hospitals as safe zones, and mandatory security measures to protect staff.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s hearing on August 20, there is a collective demand for swift and decisive action to ensure that justice is served, and measures are put in place to prevent such tragedies in the future.