NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today commenced hearing the suo motu case regarding the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata. The hearing began at 10:30 AM, prompted by concerns that the incident raises systemic issues regarding the safety of doctors across India.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra presided over the case titled "In Re: Alleged Rape and Murder of Trainee Doctor in RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata and Related Issues," which was registered on August 18.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Union government, while senior advocate Kapil Sibal represented the West Bengal government.

The CJI heard arguments from both sides, particularly from Mehta, who expressed grave concerns about the incident and condemned the police's handling of the case. He stated that the doctor was not only subjected to sexual assault by "a pervert, by an animal," and emphasized, "We understand the emotions of the parents who were made to wait for the body. Twenty-three states, including Kerala, have specific laws punishing assaults on doctors."

CJI Chandrachud noted that the Principal of the hospital initially attempted to dismiss the case as a suicide. When Sibal intervened, stating that this was not true, the CJI added, "Until late night, no FIR was registered." In response, Sibal explained that a case of unnatural death had been registered, and an FIR was eventually filed at 12:30 PM.

"Parents were not in the hospital when the incident took place. The onus was on the hospital to register a case," the CJI remarked.

The CJI emphasized the need for a national protocol to ensure safe working conditions for doctors and medical personnel. He underscored, "It is not only when there is a rape and murder that the conscience of the nation is awakened. We need protocols that are not just on paper but are actually implemented."

The CJI observed that there is a virtual absence of safety for doctors, particularly for young women doctors. "They have 36-hour shifts with no separate duty rooms for male and female doctors or personnel," he added. Expressing dissatisfaction with the Kolkata Police, the Calcutta High Court on August 13 transferred the investigation to the CBI.

Several associations of doctors and medical consultants have intervened in the suo motu case, submitting their suggestions to enhance security for medical professionals.