The whole country is shocked by the rape and murder case in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Supreme Court is hearing the case under the leadership of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. During the hearing, the court urged doctors to return to work and assured them that their safety in hospitals would be guaranteed.
Debate During the Hearing:
On Thursday (August 22, 2024), there was a heated debate between West Bengal’s lawyer Kapil Sibal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The Solicitor General said, “A minister from Bengal has claimed they will cut off the fingers of those who speak against their leader.” Kapil Sibal responded that opposition leaders are also making threats of violence.
CJI’s Appeal to Doctors:
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud appealed to doctors, saying, “We will protect you in every way. Please return to work. Justice and medicine cannot be stopped. Can we also leave work and sit outside the Supreme Court? Doctors at AIIMS have not been working for 13 days. This is not right. Patients come from far away.”
Actions Taken for Safety:
The CJI mentioned that a National Task Force has been set up to ensure doctors’ safety and that suggestions like creating a distress call system will be considered by the task force.
Regarding Protests:
The CJI clarified, “We told the state government not to use force against peaceful protests. We have not removed the state’s right to allow or disallow protests.”
Comments on Investigation:
During the hearing, Kapil Sibal mentioned that there are guidelines for investigating unnatural deaths and filing FIRs, and they followed these guidelines. The CJI responded, “This is a different issue. The FIR was filed 14 hours after the body was found. The principal should have filed it immediately. Instead, the principal resigned and was appointed to another college shortly after.”
