CJI calls for 'national protocol' to ensure safety during RG Kar case hearing; Sets up national task force

During a Supreme Court hearing related to the RG Kar Medical College incident, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud emphasized the urgent need for a national protocol to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, particularly doctors. This comes in the wake of the tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the Kolkata-based hospital, an incident that has sparked widespread protests across the country.

The top court also set up a national task force, comprising doctors from diverse backgrounds, to suggest modalities to be followed across India to make workplaces safer for doctors. It also requested protesting doctors to resume work.

Highlighting the grueling work conditions faced by young doctors, particularly women, CJI Chandrachud remarked, “We know they are all interns, resident doctors, and most importantly, women doctors. Most of the young doctors are putting in 36 hours of work... We must evolve a national protocol to ensure safe conditions of work are provided.”

The Supreme Court also expressed grave concerns over the media's handling of the incident, especially regarding the publication of the victim's name, photographs, and videos. The CJI questioned the ethics of such actions, stating, “We are deeply concerned about the fact that the name of the victim has been all over the media, the photographs and videos are all over the media. This is extremely concerning… Is this the way we provide dignity to the young doctor who has lost her life?”

The court took suo moto cognizance of the case, reflecting on the broader issue of safety for doctors across the nation. CJI Chandrachud’s comments underscored that this was not just an isolated incident but a systemic problem requiring immediate attention.

In a pointed criticism of the handling of the situation by the hospital administration and the police, CJI Chandrachud questioned, “What was the principal doing? FIR was not filed; the body was handed late to parents; what is the police doing? A serious offence has taken place, the crime scene is in the hospital... what are they doing? Allowing vandals to enter the hospital?”