Court Emphasizes Workplace Safety for Medical Professionals
New Delhi : The Supreme Court will continue its suo moto hearing on Monday, March 17, regarding the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar will oversee the proceedings, as per the court’s causelist.
Key Developments in the Case
🔹 No Punishment for Protesting Doctors
The Supreme Court previously directed all hospitals and medical institutions not to penalize doctors who participated in protests demanding justice but later resumed duty.
🔹 CBI to File Supplementary Charge Sheet
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is expected to submit additional findings this month, focusing on evidence tampering in the early stages of the case.
🔹 Previous Arrests and Convictions
📌 Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. The court rejected the CBI’s plea for the death penalty but imposed a ₹50,000 fine.
📌 Sandip Ghosh, former Principal of R.G. Kar Medical College, and Abhijit Mondal, ex-SHO of Tala Police Station, were also arrested for misleading the initial investigation before the case was handed over to the CBI.
🔹 West Bengal Government Ordered to Pay ₹17 Lakh Compensation
The court held the state responsible for ensuring workplace safety for medical professionals and directed the government to compensate the victim’s family.
Supreme Court’s Response: National Task Force for Doctors’ Safety
The Supreme Court has termed the incident “horrific” and stressed the urgent need for better workplace security for doctors across public hospitals in India.
In a landmark decision, the court has mandated the formation of a National Task Force to recommend security measures for medical professionals, asserting that doctor safety is a matter of highest national concern.
With the case continuing in the Supreme Court, the outcome is expected to set a crucial precedent for hospital safety reforms across the country.
