NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, which occurred on August 9. The action signifies that the court is initiating legal proceedings on its own accord, without a formal petition being filed.
Taking suo motu cognizance allows the Supreme Court to address issues of significant public concern, especially when they involve fundamental rights and safety.
In this case, the court’s involvement is crucial due to the severe implications of the incident on the medical community’s morale and safety across the country.
In light of the Kolkata horror, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) as well as several other doctors’ bodies have written multiple letters to the Centre demanding policies and legislations to ensure enhanced security measures at medical institutions and safety of doctors
The case has created a climate of fear among healthcare workers, specially after a mob ransacked R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata where the doctor was raped and murdered. There has also been an alarming nationwide trend of violence against medical professionals.
Taking suo motu cognizance allows the Supreme Court to address issues of significant public concern, especially when they involve fundamental rights and safety.
In this case, the court’s involvement is crucial due to the severe implications of the incident on the medical community’s morale and safety across the country.
In light of the Kolkata horror, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) as well as several other doctors’ bodies have written multiple letters to the Centre demanding policies and legislations to ensure enhanced security measures at medical institutions and safety of doctors
The case has created a climate of fear among healthcare workers, specially after a mob ransacked R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata where the doctor was raped and murdered. There has also been an alarming nationwide trend of violence against medical professionals.
Possible impact
The Supreme Court’s decision to intervene may lead to several significant outcomes.
It may prompt a thorough and expedited inquiry into the case, ensuring that law enforcement agencies are held accountable for their actions.
The court may also issue directives for the protection of medical personnel and the establishment of safety protocols in hospitals.
Moreover, the Supreme Court’s involvement could catalyse legislative or policy changes aimed at improving the security of medical professionals. This could include recommendations for deploying central forces to safeguard hospitals and instituting stricter penalties for violence against healthcare workers.
IMA’s demands
In its recent letter to the Centre, the IMA had made 5 demands:
- At policy level the reluctance to acknowledge the violence on doctors and hospitals has to change. A Central Act incorporating the amendments of 2023 in the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 into the draft Hospital Protection Bill of 2019 would strengthen the existing 25 state legislations. An Ordinance as in during the covid pandemic is in order.
- The security protocols of all hospitals should be no less than an airport. Declaring the hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security entitlements is the first step. CCTVs, deployment of security personnel and the protocols can follow.
- The 36 hours duty shift that the victim was in and the lack of safe spaces to rest and adequate rest rooms warrant thorough overhaul of the working and living conditions of the resident doctors.
- Meticulous and professional investigation of the crime in a timeframe and rendering of justice. Identify the hooligans of vandalism and award exemplary punishment.
- Appropriate and dignified compensation to the bereaved family commensurate with the cruelty inflicted.