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Supreme Court on the horror in Calcutta

New Delhi:

The shocking rape-murder of a young doctor in Kolkata, which has deeply shocked the country, has now been referred to the Supreme Court. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud is hearing the case.

The case, which is being investigated by the CBI, raises numerous questions, including the reliability of evidence, rule of law, safety of health workers and the big issue of women's safety at work. It has also put the ruling Trinamool Congress under pressure and outrage among women – Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's loyal constituency.

Here are the LIVE updates on the Kolkata rape and murder case:

The national task force should consider the following in its action plan:

The Taskforce is to address the safety and welfare of medical personnel and other relevant issues. The NTA is to consider the following in preparing an action plan: preventing gender-based violence, developing a national plan to ensure decent work for junior doctors, residents and non-resident doctors:

1. Emergency room areas may require additional security

2. Baggage checks are necessary to prevent weapons from entering

3. No admission of persons beyond a certain limit if they are not patients

4. Security to control crowds

5. Provide rest rooms for doctors and gender-neutral areas for resting doctors and nurses

6. Such areas have biometrics and facial recognition

7. Proper lighting of all areas, installation of CCTV in all places

8. Transport from 10pm to 6am for medical professions

9. Conducting workshops on grief and crisis management

10. Quarterly review of institutional security measures

11. Establish a police presence appropriate to the number of visitors

12. The POSH Act is applicable to medical institutions, therefore an ICC is to be established.

13. Helpline number for emergency medical professionals

Supreme Court to hear Calcutta rape and murder case on August 22

The next hearing date for this case is August 22nd.

List of concerns raised by CJI Chandrachud in connection with Kolkata rape and murder case

Supreme Court sets up national task force to ensure safety of doctors

“We are setting up a national task force to recommend guidelines to be followed in India to ensure the safety of senior and junior doctors,” said CJI Chandrachud.

The National Task Force includes:

(1) Surgeon Vice Admiral RK Sarian

(2) Dr. Reddy , Executive Director, 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, Gangaram Hospital, Delhi

(7) Prof. Anita Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, Pandit BD Sharma College

(8) Dr. Pallavi

(9) Dr. Padma Srivastav

“I can’t wait for something to change on the ground before there is another rape”: CJI Chandrachud
“As more and more women enter the workforce, the nation cannot wait for another rape until things change on the ground,” said CJI Chandrachud, adding that existing laws do not adequately address institutional safety standards for doctors and medical staff.
“Parents are allowed to see the body only after several hours”: CJI Chandrachud

“The parents were allowed to see the body after several hours. The Supreme Court transferred the investigation to the CBI. On the eve of Independence Day, a large mob vandalised the hospital. We cannot understand how the state could not tackle the problem of vandalism in the hospital,” said CJI Chandrachud.

‘Hospital’s duty to file FIR’: CJI to West Bengal

CJI: When was the body of the victim handed over for cremation?

Kapil Sibal, representative of the State of West Bengal: 8.30 p.m.

CJI: The complaint was filed 3 hours after the body was handed over to the parents. The autopsy was done between 1.45pm and 4pm. The autopsy revealed that the doctor was murdered, but the complaint was filed at 11.45pm? What did the director and hospital administration do?

Kapil Sibal: They took pictures and immediately a case of unnatural death was initiated. We had set up a commission and asked a judge to be present.

CJI: Victim’s parents are not in the hospital, so it is the hospital’s duty to file the FIR

‘What did the police and hospital director do?’: CJI criticises delayed FIR in Kolkata rape and murder case
“What did the principal do? No complaint was filed and the body was handed over to the parents too late. What did the police do? A serious crime took place in the hospital. What are they doing? Did they allow vandals to enter the hospital?” asked West Bengal CJI Chandrachud.
‘Principal tried to pass it off as suicide’: CJI questions Bengali on Kolkata rape and murder case

CJI: Apparently the crime was discovered in the morning. The director of the hospital tried to pass it off as suicide and the parents were not allowed to see the body.

Kapil Sibal, representative of the State of West Bengal: That is not correct.

CJI: No FIR has been filed.

Kapil Sibal: The complaint was filed immediately and the investigation revealed that it was a murder case.

CJI: There was no FIR establishing a clear case of murder.

Kapil Sibal: We have arrested the accused. He is a civil worker.

‘Victim’s name, photos and videos in all media’: CJI expresses concern
“We are deeply concerned that the victim's name is all over the media. The photos and videos of the case are all over the media. This is extremely worrying,” said CJI Chandrachud.

“Women are denied equal rights”: CJI Chandrachud on women’s safety CJI
“If women cannot work and conditions are not safe, we are denying them equality,” said CJI Chandrachud about the Calcutta rape and murder case.

“Problem of systemic safety of doctors across India”: CJI on Kolkata rape case
“We are taking note of this publicly because this is not just about the gruesome murder that took place in a hospital in Kolkata. It is about the issue of general safety of doctors across India. We are deeply concerned about the lack of safe working conditions for young doctors,” said CJI DY Chandrachud.

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