CISF seeks Supreme Court nod to exit RG Kar Hospital duty after security upgrade

Six months after the Supreme Court ordered the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the force is seeking to withdraw, stating that its assigned task is complete. Senior CISF officials confirmed that security measures at the hospital have been strengthened, and Kolkata Police is now capable of handling law enforcement duties. The force was deployed following court directions amid security concerns and unrest at the hospital. Officials stated that with new security infrastructure in place, they are awaiting a court order to step down.

According to CISF officials, multiple security upgrades have been implemented, including a centralized command and control system and extensive CCTV surveillance. The hospital now has a structured security plan in coordination with local law enforcement. "Our primary role is to safeguard critical infrastructure, not hospitals. We were deployed as per court orders, but now that security has been strengthened, we expect a suitable authority—possibly the Home Ministry—to approach the Supreme Court for our withdrawal," a CISF official stated.

CISF remains the only central force deployed at a hospital in India, and its officials have emphasized that their resources are meant for national security and infrastructure protection. They have urged authorities to facilitate the process for their withdrawal. The Supreme Court had initially mandated the deployment for maintaining order, and the final decision regarding CISF's exit now rests with the judiciary.