Supreme Court of India Forms Task Force to Protect Doctors After Kolkata Incident
The Supreme Court of India has established a 10-member National Task Force to provide recommendations on preventing violence and ensuring safe working conditions for medical professionals. This decision comes after the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, which sparked protests across the country.
Task Force Members and Objectives
The task force includes notable members such as Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin. The Supreme Court has instructed the task force to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months. The task force will also create an action plan to prevent gender-based violence and ensure a dignified working environment for interns, residents, and non-resident doctors.
Investigation and Court Observations
The court has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a status report on the investigation into the rape case. Additionally, the West Bengal government has been directed to report on the mob attack incident at RG Kar hospital on August 15. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud expressed concerns about the safety of doctors nationwide and criticized the publication of the victim’s name and photo, which is prohibited by law.
Reactions and Future Steps
The FAIMA Doctors Association welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision and requested representation from interns, resident doctors, and faculties in the task force. The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for August 22 and emphasized the need for immediate action to protect medical professionals, especially as more women join the workforce.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court of India -: The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country. It makes important decisions about laws and justice.
Task Force -: A task force is a group of people chosen to work on a specific problem or task. In this case, they are working to protect doctors.
Kolkata -: Kolkata is a big city in India, located in the state of West Bengal. It used to be called Calcutta.
National Task Force -: The National Task Force is a special group formed by the Supreme Court to find ways to keep doctors safe from violence.
Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin -: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin is a high-ranking medical officer in the Indian Navy. She is part of the task force.
CBI -: CBI stands for Central Bureau of Investigation. It is India’s main agency for investigating serious crimes.
West Bengal government -: The West Bengal government is the ruling authority in the state of West Bengal, responsible for local administration and law enforcement.