A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra during hearing on a suo moto case related to the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata. (Image: PTI)
The SC constituted a 10-member task force to formulate a national protocol for ensuring safety and facilitie of healthcare professionals.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the CBI to file a status report by August 22 on the investigation in the Kolkata rape-murder case and West Bengal to file a status report by August 22 on the progress of the probe into a mob attack on the RG Kar hospital.
The apex court, observing that working conditions have made doctors and health professionals susceptible to violence, constituted a 10-member task force to formulate a national protocol for ensuring safety and facilities for them in the wake of the rape and murder of a medic in Kolkata.
The task force will submit its interim report within three weeks and the final report within two months.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said protecting women doctors is a matter of national interest and the principle of equality does not demand anything less.
The top court said the nation cannot await another rape for things to change on the ground.
It said there are legislations to protect medical professionals but they do not address the systemic issues.
The ten members of the task force include surgeon Vice Admiral RK Sarian, Dr Reddy, Managing Director Asian Institute of National Gastrology, Dr M Srinivas, Director AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Prathima Moorthy, NIMHANS, Bangalore among others.
The bench said the cabinet secretary and the home secretary to the Union government shall be the ex-officio members of the national task force.
The apex court was hearing a suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata amid the nationwide doctors’ strike over it.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)