On August 20th, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance of the tragic Kolkata rape-murder case, a case that has incited widespread protests and public outrage. The intervention by the apex court came in response to growing concerns over the safety of medical professionals and the overall security within medical institutions, following the horrific incident that took place on a medical campus.
The Supreme Court issued a series of directives aimed at safeguarding the lives and well-being of healthcare workers. These directives include the establishment of police outposts in all municipality-run hospitals and the provision of safe and hygienic restrooms for medical staff. These measures are intended to enhance the security infrastructure in hospitals, ensuring that such incidents do not recur.
Additionally, the Supreme Court sought an explanation from the state government regarding the acts of vandalism that occurred on the medical campus during the protests. The court emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and accountability, criticizing the handling of the situation by the local authorities.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been instructed to expedite its inquiry and submit a detailed report on the case by August 22nd. Furthermore, the Supreme Court reprimanded the principal of the medical college for the delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR) related to the incident, stressing the importance of prompt legal action in such sensitive cases.
