New Delhi: The Supreme Court bench of CJI D Y Chandrachud, Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra observed the national task force, set up by it to develop a protocol for doctor’s safety, has not made any substantial progress. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta placed before the top court an affidavit filed by the Task Force. Noting that after 9th September the task force had not had a meeting, the Chief Justice of India said, “The task force must expedite their work”.
The bench was of the view that the task force must complete their work within a stipulated time. The bench said “The task force has not made any substantial progress and no meeting has been held after 9th Sept. The Union govt must take active steps to make sure the work of the task force is completed within a reasonable time period. The meeting of the NTF shall be held at regular intervals. So that by the next date this court is apprised of tentative recommendations by the NTF. This has to be done by three weeks.”
In the wake of the horrifying incident of rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata, the Supreme Court of India had recently set up a National Task Force to develop a national protocol aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of women doctors across the country. CJI led bench has also appointed Ex-officio members to the force who would include Cabinet Secretary to Government of India, Home Secretary to Government of India, Secretary of Union Health Ministry, Chairperson of National Medical Commission and President of National Board of Examiners.