New Delhi: The shocking rape-murder of a young doctor in Kolkata that has hit the country hard, has been taken up by the Supreme Court. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud is hearing the matter.
The case - being investigated by the CBI -- has thrown up multiple issues including sanctity of evidence, rule of law, safety of healthcare professionals and the big picture issue of women's security in the workplace. It has also put the ruling Trinamool Congress under pressure, with women - the staunch constituency of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee - being up in arms.
Here are the LIVE updates in the Kolkata rape-murder case:
"Resume Work As It Affects Patients": CJI's Appeal To Protesting Doctors
"Since this court is seized of the matter regarding safety of all medical professionals, we request doctors protesting all across the country to resume work as it affects patients to avail health related services. Doctors and medical professionals are receiving considerations by the highest court of the country," CJI Chandrachud.
What National Task Force Should Consider These In Its Action Plan:The taskforce shall look into safety, wellbeing of medical professional and other cognate matters highlighted. The NTA shall consider following to prepare action plan: prevent gender based violence, prepare national plan to prepare dignified working of interns, resident, non resident doctors:
1. Areas of emergency room may need additional security
2. Baggage screening needed to prevents arms from entering
3. Not allowing persons beyond a limit if they are not patients
4. Security to manage crowd
5. Have rest rooms for doctors and gender neutral spaces for resting of doctors, nurses
6. Such areas to have biometrics and facial recognition
7. Proper lighting of all areas, installation of CCTV in all places
8. Transport from 10 pm to 6 am for medical professions
9. Conducting workshops for handling grief and crisis
10. Quarterly audits of institutional safety measures
11. Establishing police force commensurate with footfall
12. POSH Act applies to medical establishments thus ICC to be constituted.
13. Helpline number to be there for emergency of medical professions
Supreme Court To Hear Kolkata Rape Murder Case On Aug 22The matter has been next listed for hearing on August 22.
List Of Concerns Raised By CJI Chandrachud Over Kolkata Rape-Murder Case
Supreme Court Sets Up National Task Force To Ensure Doctors' Safety"We are setting up a National Task Force which will give recommendations for guidelines to be followed in India to ensure the safety of senior and junior doctors," CJI Chandrachud said.The National Task force includes:
(1) Surgeon Vice Admiral RK Sarian
(2) Dr Reddy , Managing Director of Asian Institute of National Gastrology
(3) Dr M Srinivas, Director AIIMS, Delhi
(4) Dr Prathima Moorthy, NIMHANS, Bangalore
(5) Dr Puri, Director, AIIMS, Jodhpur
(6) Dr Ravat, Managing member of Gangaram Hospital, Delhi
(7) Prof Anita Saxena, Vice Chancellor of Pandit BD Sharma College
(8) Dr Pallavi
(9) Dr Padma Srivastav
"Cannot Wait For Another Rape For Things To Change On Ground": CJI Chandrachud"As more and more women join the work force, the nation cannot wait another rape for things to change on the ground," CJI Chandrachud said, adding that the existing enactments do not adequately address the institutional safety standards for doctors and medical workers.
"Parents Permitted To See Body After Several Hours": CJI Chandrachud"Parents were permitted to see the dead body after several hours. The high court transferred the investigations to CBI. On eve of independence day, a large mob vandalised the hospital. We are unable to comprehend how the state was not able to handle the issue of vandalism at the hospital," CJI Chandrachud said.
"Duty Of Hospital To File FIR": CJI To West BengalCJI: What time was the victim's body handed over for cremation.
Kapil Sibal, representing state of West Bengal: 8.30 PM
CJI: The FIR was filed 3 hours after the body was handed over to parents. The autopsy took place between 1.45 to 4 pm. Autopsy reveals that the doctor was murdered but the FIR is registered at 11.45 pm? What was the principal and the hospital board doing?
Kapil Sibal: They took photos and immediately a case of unnatural death was started. We had set up a board, asked a Judicial Magistrate to be present.
CJI: The victim's parents are not in the hospital so it is the duty of the hospital to file the FIR
"What Were Police, Hospital Principal Doing?": CJI Hits Out Over Late FIR In Kolkata Rape-Murder"What was the principal doing? FIR was not filed and body was handed late to parents. What was the police doing? A serious offence has taken place in hospital, what are they doing? Allowing vandals to enter the hospital?" CJI Chandrachud asked West Bengal.
"Principal Tried To Pass If Off As Suicide": CJI Grills Bengal Over Kolkata Rape-MurderCJI: "It appears crime was detected in morning. The hospital's principal tried to pass it off as suicide and the parents are not allowed to see the body.
Kapil Sibal, representing state of West Bengal: That is not correct.
CJI: No FIR was filed.
Kapil Sibal: FIR registered immediately, the inquest shows its a case of murder.
CJI: No FIR was there which shows a clear case of murder.
Kapil Sibal: We caught the accused. He is a civic worker.
"Name Of Victim, Photos And Videos All Over Media": CJI Raises Concern
"We are deeply concerned that the name of the victim has been all over the media. The photographs and videos related to the case are all over the media. This is extremely concerning," CJI Chandrachud said.
"Denying Women Equality": CJI Chandrachud On Women's Safety CJI
"If women are not able to go to work and conditions are not safe, we are denying them equality," CJI Chandrachud on Kolkata rape-murder.
"Issue Of Systemic Safety Of Doctors Across India": CJI On Kolkata Rape Case
"We are taking sou motu cognizance because its not just a matter of a horrific murder that took place in the Kolkata hospital. It deals with the issue of systemic safety of doctors across the India. We are deeply concerned about the absence of safe conditions of work for young doctors," CJI DY Chandrachud said.